Apart from evangelism, a Kenyan Consolata Missionary priest based in South Africa is also using music in a quest to unite Kenyans.
By Hope Barbra *
Rev. Fr. Charles Orero Ochieng, a priest and music composer has learnt the art of delicate balancing his spiritual calling with composing music both for the church and agitating for the country’s unity and peace.
Ther Consolata Missionary from Kenya, who works in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg in South Africa, composes for his local Kenya’s Church, St Joseph Mission Kendu Bay, in Karachuonyo, of Homa Bay County.
“I first came to South Africa in 2013 for my theological studies, having completed my philosophical studies in Kenya. I got ordained as a deacon in South Africa in the year 2018, after which I went back to Kenya for priestly ordination. I was ordained a priest in the year 2019. I was then sent to Rome, Italy, for further studies in the year 2020. I did a masters in Christian spirituality at Pontifical Gregorian University. In the year 2022, I was sent back to South Africa to serve as a priest,” he says.
Rev Ochieng says the rich experience in Kenya and South Africa, is what motivated him to compose a song’ Kenya Kipenzi Changu (Kenya My Love).
“My experience is that both Kenya and South Africa are blessed with diverse and very rich cultural heritage. My experience has taught me that, without unity, no country can stand firm. In addition, my experience in Kenya and South Africa has taught me that, regardless of language or tribe, we are all children of God, “he explains.
As a Consolata Missionary priest, he has been, for a long time, overwhelmed by the quest for a united Kenya.
“My prayer and greatest wish is always that Kenya becomes one family. A family of rich diverse culture, a family of justice, a family of love, a family of forgiveness, a family of peace, a family of prayer, a family of support and encouragement, a family of honesty and unity,” he says.
Rev Orero says his quest for a united Kenya led to composing a song with the title “Kenya Kipenzi Changu.’’
“The song reminds us that Kenya is indeed our Mother and if is dear to us, then we won’t burn her, if Kenya is indeed dear to us then we won’t destroy her properties, if Kenya is indeed dear to us, then we won’t bring division, if Kenya is indeed dear to us, then we will pray for her, if Kenya is indeed dear to us, then we shall live in peace as brothers and sisters, if Kenya is indeed dear to us , then we will create development and if Kenya is indeed dear to us , then we will promote nationalism. These are the messages contained in my song “Kenya Kipenzi Changu.” he says.
He argues that diversity in language or even tribe is a richness and a great gift from God that, rather than creating division, should indeed be an instrument for complementing one another.
“I find this very evident in the community of the Twelve Apostles, who Jesus called to be with him in serving humanity (Mathew 10:1-4).
Though they were all Jewish and descended from the twelve tribes of Israel, the group likely contained a mix of people with various regional differences.
Despite this, they had a common goal, and that was to teach the World the virtues taught by Jesus through preaching the Gospel.
One of their greatest missions was theologically called , “the missionary mandate’’ where Jesus charged them to go to the whole world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to observe all the commands that I gave you ( Mathew 28:19-20)”, he says.
Rev Orero just like the mandate given to the 12 disciples Kenyans too have a mission to build and unite the nation.
“The mission of these twelve Apostles is the mission for every Kenyan.
To begin with, every Kenyan has a duty to make our Country not only a nation but one family, a family where each individual has a right of expression, a right to religion, a right to equitable distribution of national resources.
Each Kenyan must bear in mind that, by virtue of birth, we are a people of identity. We cannot help it, but I identify wholly with our Country.
It is this identity that creates a bond of communion among us. In addition, this identity enables us to appreciate one another and to encourage one another, leading to a source of mutual help and stability for our Nation,” he says
Rev Orero is a music composer for a period of 13 years and has recorded four albums with Saint Joseph’s Kendu Bay Choir.
“Among my songs is the famous song ” HUYU NI NANI ANAYEITA MITUME.” As a Consolata Missionary priest, I use songs to evangelize people because I believe that a song has the highest power to convey a message that provides solace, comfort, healing, and a deeper connection with God, with one another, and with the whole universe. God bless Kenya,” he says.
* This story was first published on www.westerninsight.co.ke by Hope Barbra.
