- Nyapera noted Valentine’s Day is highly esteemed by many all over the world as a day for pleasure.
- He noted that this year's Ash Wednesday shall be celebrated on the same day as the Valentine's Day.
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Legio Maria Church has asked Kenyans planning to mark Valentine’s Day to avoid engaging in intimate activities while celebrating the occasion.
The church said Kenyans should instead celebrate the day by gifting the people they love.
“Abstain from all worldly and bodily pleasures on this day,” Bishop Wycliffe Nyapera said.
Nyapera noted that this year's Ash Wednesday shall be celebrated on the same day as Valentine's Day.
“The two have different philosophical and Biblical meanings. Usually during Ash Wednesday, the day is characterised by fasting, prayer and denying oneself bodily pleasures in remembrance of the suffering of Christ. On the other hand, Valentine's Day is purely spiced with gift giving, guzzling of wine, giving flowers and physical intimacy,” he said.
In a statement, Nyapera noted Valentine’s Day is highly esteemed by many all over the world as a day for pleasure.
“If one was to be given a chance to choose between celebrating Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day, you all know which side they would be,” he said.
“Let us keep the day holy for the Lord's sake as we remember His suffering."
Nyapera said Kenyans are entering the season of Lent with many people feeling like they have lost hope and the world is coming to an end.
“In the recent past, we have had many femicide and homicide cases across the country. We have lost many young souls in the name of love. The country's economy is also not doing well as many Kenyans had earlier anticipated,” he explained.
He said Kenyans, to some degree, feel they have been abandoned by their leaders and are on their own.
“Throughout this season of Lent, let us be deeply attentive to the sufferings of others,” he said.