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Nairobi, April 29, 2006

President Mwai Kibaki accompanied by Catholic Archbishop Ndingi Mwana a Nzeki, Bishop Phillip Sulumeti and Pope's representative Rev Allan Paul Lebeaupin during the fund raising for the Catholic Seminaries at the St.Thomas Aquinas Seminary, Langata.

President Kibaki praises early missionaries

President Kibaki today praised early missionaries for introducing religion in the country and helping bring about a just society.

Noting that every institution in the country had a role to play in the welfare of the country, President Kibaki encouraged religious organization to take a central role in the affairs of the country.

The President was speaking at St. Thomas Aquinas seminary, Langata during a fund raising for the catholic seminaries.

The President said, ‘we can easily surmount the challenges facing us as a country if all of us gave appropriate attention to the tasks before us”.

He commended the Catholic Church for investing in the training of priests and other church workers saying that it ensured that the church had a reliable leadership.

Speaking at the function the leader of the official opposition Uhuru Kenyatta urged Kenyans to work as a team noting that Kenya as nation stood a better chance of forging ahead as a united country.

The Pope’s representative the Most Rev Allan Paul Lebeautin said the Catholic Church recognized Kenya as a leading example of peace and prosperity in Afrika.

The guest of honour at the function was the vice chairman of the Kenya Episcopal conference Bishop Philip Sulumeti who said the fund raised at the harambee will be used to improve facilities in the four seminaries namely St Augustine Major seminary Mabanga, St. Matthias Mulumba major seminary Tindinyo, St. Mary’s major seminary Molo and St. Thomas Aquinas major seminary Langata.

President Kibaki gave a million shiling, Uhuru gave 100 thousand, Head of the public service and secretary to the cabinet Francis Muthaura gave 20 thousand, Permanent secretary Stanley Murage gave 20 thousand and comptroller of State House Islop Ipu gave 10 thousand, George Muhoho Chairman Kenya airport Authority gave 100 thousands and Nairobi Provincial Commissioner Waweru gave 10 thousand.

The function was also attended by all the Catholic bishops who presented donations from their respective dioceses.