JPIC in Kenya is expanding beyond tree planting in schools and parishes to include ministry at a prison with child inmates and visits to formation houses.
From February 7-17, 2025, the Province of St. Francis of Assisi in Kenya welcomed Friar Michael LASKY, the Order’s General Delegate for Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC). Friar Kenneth MACHARIA, the JPIC chairperson for the Province of Kenya, organized visits to the St. Bonaventure Formation House and the St. Catherine of Alexandria Friary in Nairobi, the Mary, Mother of God National Shrine in Subukia, the Franciscan Center in Meru (which includes both a friary and a formation house for postulants), and the St. Francis of Assisi Friary in Mombasa.
Initially, the Minister Provincial, Friar Hilary Omondi RADUK, explained that JPIC in Kenya was only about planting trees…period! At most of the visited locations, tree planting events were organized with friars, parishioners, and schoolchildren from the many schools under the friars’ pastoral care.
Friar Michael’s JPIC presentations introduced his listeners to Franciscan prayer as a means of engaging in JPIC work. While solidarity with creation is certainly a part of JPIC, the idea of connecting JPIC to working with the marginalized and disadvantaged (“prayer in action”) was at the heart of many conversations. This new perspective, moving beyond tree planting, opened many hearts to rethink their approach to fraternal life and ministry, guided by the social doctrine of the Church.
One highlight of the visit was joining Friar Josephat NJOGU MUBI in his prison ministry in Mombasa. Friar Michael LASKY gave a talk about St. Francis as a prisoner and a healer while Friar Kenneth translated into Swahili and Friar Hilary blessed snacks for the 170 boy prisoners who attended the event.
Reflecting on the JPIC program in Kenya, the Minister Provincial, Friar Hilary, commented that, “If a zebra humbles itself to be carried by a giraffe, it gets to see beyond the bushes and taste the high hanging fruits that were beyond reach.” All those who got to “taste” those fruits were deeply satisfied.
Friar Michael LASKY
