Background

Political career as a service to the community by Rev. Prof. Dr. Francesco Pierli, MCCJ

The most outstanding social document of the Second Vatican Council states: “The Church praises and esteems the work of those who for the good of men devote themselves to the service of the state and take on the burdens of this office….Citizens must cultivate a generous and loyal spirit of patriotism, but without being narrow-minded. This means that they will always direct their attention to the good of the whole human family, united by the different ties which bind together races, people and nations…All Christians must be aware of their own specific vocation within the political community (Gaudium et Spes 75)”
Vatican II council

To actualize this noble vision the collaboration between the Kenyan Catholic MPs and Tangaza University College will pursue the following objectives in the context of a systemic synergy between: Faith/Religion and Science/Technology – Public Sector and Private Sector – Academic Institutions and Governance at national and county levels.

Spirituality assures political action for the welfare for the community beyond personal interest and gain;
Ethical values: against corruption, harassment, embezzlement, violence and cheating;
Professional competence in governance and management;
Solidification of the tenets of the New Constitution through grounding linkages with faith and science;
Scientific Research focused on issues according to the programs of the legislators;
Collaboration and cohesion among the legislators in the context of democratic pluralism;
Networking in a globalized world;
Prayer of intercession as part and parcel of political ministry;
Attention to personal and family concerns;
Possible linkages and collaboration between incumbents Mps and former ones.

The collaboration between Catholic MPs/Legislators and Tangaza University College goes beyond the mere concept of traditional Chaplaincy toward a broader collaboration in a world becoming ever more complex and difficult to be governed. But with new possibilities as well!

The Catholic MPs Spiritual Support Initiative(CAMPSSI) is a caucus group comprising of all Members of Parliament especially those who profess the Catholic faith. The purpose is to deepen their faith and to act as the missing link between the political class within the Kenya Parliament and the church aimed at increasing the interactive relations.

The first meeting took place in March 2011 and followed up with many other meetings ending with march 13^th 2012 when a working team volunteered to coordinate the weekly mass and reflections as well as other forums including exchange programme. This team comprised of Hon. David Ngugi Hon. Thomas Mwadeghu, Hon. Bifwoli Wakoli, Hon. Henry Kosgey assisted by Ms Alice Muchiri (Administrative Secretary of CAMPSSI) and Reginald Nalugala(coordinator Tangaza University College/CAMPSSI) under the spiritual guidance of Fr. Dr. Francesco Pierli ( Institute of Social Ministry, Tangaza University College). A question emerged as to whether there can be a spiritual support structure to accompany the MPs in their work of Governance/leadership and socio-transformation . It was unanimously agreed that this was a need which should have been there from the time Kenya gained independence in 1963. There is no such a structure in Africa. however, the caucus is learning a lot from their Italian counterparts who have an active group under the name Parliamentary Group for Subsidiarity.

The initiative’s activities officially kicked off in January 2012 with weekly Private Holy Masses celebrated for the elected Members of Parliament. It operates under a volunteer team from Tangaza University College and Parliament. Weekly Masses are held in a hired premises at ST. JOHNS HOUSE adjacent to Continental House. Positive results have been emerging and the number of the members is increasing day by day.

The Unique Orientation, Reginald Nalugala – Tangaza University

By the end of the end of the 10^th Parliament the CAMPSSI team had organized 27 (twenty seven) very reflective masses every Wednesday. The mass was always fully animated by the elected Members. Alice reminding the MPs well in advance about their roles in participating in the Liturgy, leading in the weekly reflection and making announcements. The reflection involved one MP leading the others to reflect on any matter of concern for about five minutes. This privileged of participating in the liturgy has made the MPs own up the Eucharistic celebration.

Some of the notable areas reflected on by the MPs touched on national issues for example the Tana River killings in 2012 and MRC uprising in Coast region by Hon. Mwadeghu, Hon. Esther Murugi reflected on the plight of the Boy child in central Kenya and other parts of Kenya. Hon. Ngugi gave reflections on the national government and devolution as a means to empower the local people. Hon. Bifwoli, Hon. Kosgei reflected on challenges of being an elected Member of Parliament and Hon. Mututho on social justice etc.

The leaders also had a chance to reflect on the live of Christian Political leaders who upto date are admired role models. This include; Nelson Mandela, Julius Nyerere, St. Ambrose of Milan, Wangari Maathai, Rosa Perks of civil rights movement in USA, Albert Luthuli, J.M. Kariuki among others, We look forward to an even stronger collaboration in the 11th Parliament. In our diversification we welcome even non-Catholics MPs as we continue engaging experts on how best to connect faith, politics and development.

Alice Muchiri, Head of Secretariat

The idea of a Catholic Prayer Group in parliament was conceived way back in 2008 but it took a forum at the St. Paul’s University Chapel, Nairobi in which one of the Founder Members Hon. John Muthutho had been invited for a presentation on drug and substance abuse. Fr. Francesco Pierli and Reginald Nalugala both of Tangaza Institute of Social Ministry expressed his concern on how the church can get involved in providing Political leaders with some spiritual support in their work. What followed was a series of meeting with a small group of Catholic MPs to explore ways of coming together for prayers and meditation on a regular base. It took more than seven months to be able to have the first mass in a hired room.

For me it has been a joyous moment to see Members of Parliament get to town by 7am every Wednesday not only to attend mass but also fully participate in the animation of the Eucharistic Celebration. It has been a sacrifice for all the members who have been facilitating the acquisition of religious articles and vestments for the Eucharistic Celebration as well as the hiring of the prayer room

Hon. John Mututho, Founder Chairman

When I was elected Member of Parliament for Naivasha I expected a spiritual routine in parliament as has been the case in almost all closed institutions like schools, colleges and universities. I looked forward to an afternoon of Christian fellowship with members but to my surprise the only exposure to this was a weekly interdenominational prayer session.

In 2008 there was an attempt to table a Right’s Bill in parliament and this was seen as an attempt to legalise aborting. I listened and watch as the church protested against this with little impact or influence on what goes on in parliament as far as the passing of such laws are concerned. Come the last constitution referendum both the church and the political class took opposite handline stands of yes and no. Its out of such that the idea of a Catholic Forum crossed my mind of how we could have the church and political leaders working together for the good of this country. The idea never matured until September 2011 when I met with a team from Tangaza that had also been thinking on the same line of Spiritual support for leaders. . At homes and early school age, ideals that will lead all good people to Heaven are well taught and those teachings have been followed by thousands of sermons, spiritual retreats, conventions etc. However, Parliament for 50 years, inspite of specific requirements that all Parliamentary sessions begin with a Prayer, in fact before the first order of the day, did not have a structured spiritual nurturing facility.

As a founder Chairman, I welcome all the newly elected members to CAMPSSI. It is an initiative like no other. We appreciate Fr. Francesco Pierli’s unique way of dealing with politicians while at the same time delivering the message of the need for a “Social Transformation” in a very strong way

I believe as People’s Representatives, Honourable Members will prayerfully join CAMPSSI and together be part of a service “…For the Just Government of the People…”

Hon. David Ngugi, Co-Founder

Before coming together as Catholic MPs a number of us were members of the parliamentary inter-denominational prayer that meets every Wednesday for prayers and breakfast. However as a Catholic I felt that my moment of prayer was never complete without the Holy Eucharist

I sincerely thank Fr. Francesco Pierli, Fr. Pietro Caggiano, Fr. Paolo Latorre, Reginald Nalugala and the entire community of Tangaza Institute of Social Ministry for stepping forward to support and walk with Members of Parliament. In a very special way I thank Ms. Alice Muchiri for her devotion, persistence and patience in bringing together the Catholic MPs and coordinating all the activities especially the weekly Mass and reflection. Celebrating the first mass on 27th June 2012, in a hired room near parliament buildings felt like a miracle for it was a moment we had longed for with lots of struggle to get some place for the members’ private mass.

I also appreciate the CAMPSSI Choir comprising of volunteer singers from various parishes of the Arch-Diocese of Nairobi.

My humble prayer is that the church will support this initiative and embrace leaders even at the local levels with an understanding that even politicians are ordinary human beings with spiritual needs. I am glad that we planted the seed and for our colleagues who made it back to parliament be assured of the growth of CAMPSSI as well as the interdenominational prayer group by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Hon. Thomas Mwadeghu, Co-Founder

CAMPSSI in its unique style of reaching out to political leaders has continued give me a surrounding of spiritual support and nourishment that most leaders never get a chance of enjoying. Most leaders are shy to disclose that being a public figure some shy off from even going to church due to the attention they attract and therefore being denied an honest moment of prayer and meditation. Since last year when CAMPSSI Came to being, I am guaranteed of a really moment of spiritual reflection atleast once a week. CAMPSSI also gave me a forum to interact with colleagues in faith and together we strengthened each other on how to face the challenges we face as politicians who must also be seen as Christians. This takes me back to my upbringing which has proved that a Christian value injected into a human being is never lost. It has made me more conscious of my responsibility as a Catholic and I am using the values that CAMPSSI has re-ignited in me to reach out to other Christian Communities.

CAMPSSI has also taught me that it is possible apply my faith in my work. I remain committed to the initiative and I call upon all religious leaders to support leaders in their work.