Priest asks parents to teach their children catechism and spiritual life during their stay at home due to COVID 19

The Parish Priest of Monguo, Don Bosco Parish in Maridi County of Western Equatoria State, Rev. Fr. Peter Kariuki has challenged parents to exercise their priestly role during this pandemic period to minister to their children.

Speaking to Anisa Radio, Fr. Kariuki said that it is high time for parents to sit down with their children at home, teach and mentor them on the spiritual life.

“The family is the first unit of the church; I, therefore, ask parents that even if now children are not able to come to church for prayer and catechesis, it is their duty to parents to catechize the children until further notice,” he said adding that this time calls for Christians to exercise their priestly role given to them at baptism.

“Parents need to create time for Praying the rosary together, reading the word of God together and catechizing their children so that as they grow up they will be able to understand their Faith,” he encouraged parents.

Fr. Kariuki explained that due to the spreading of coronavirus globally, governments have taken strict measures to curb the rapid spread. Among these has been the closure of schools and places of worship and restrictions on travels among others. South Sudan not being an exception, the president of the republic, Salva Kiir Mayardit in March this year ordered the observance of these measures and this has highly affected Christians.

When he tried to explain to Christians in his parish that no one is allowed to attend church services, they did not believe it; instead, they thought that he was the one trying to do his own things.

“My parishioners told me that I was the one closing the church. After I heard on the news that religious activities were banned as well as schools, I went ahead trying to explain to them. It was not easy convincing them but I tried my level best,” Fr. Kariuki expressed.

Don Bosco Maridi parish owns three primary schools, one secondary school, a dispensary, a youth center among others. As far as education is concerned with regard to coronavirus pandemic, Don Bosco’s schools as well as other activities of the Church have been adversely affected.

According to Sister Fatima Lamare, one of the sisters of Don Bosco Maridi, many students have been asking the sisters when the schools are going to reopen. As the lockdown continues, the sisters have decided to do some farming activities as well as cleaning schools. Besides the continue taking care of the sick in the dispensary.

“We miss schools and we are just trying to be okay with the whole situation,” sister Lamare said.

By Sylviah Naipanoi.