The Cardinal Broke the Arrow
The Cardinal Broke the Arrow
Author Country :Kenya
Genre Type :True Story
Location :Nairobi, Kenya
Year of Publication :NULL/
Publication :“Building God’s Family” (The Tablet, 20 August, 1994)
Sub Theme :Peace, Peacemaking/War, Songs/Music, Synod, Worship/Liturgy/Sacrifice/
Author Name :Father Aylward Shorter, M.Afr./
Author City :Nairobi
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Of several initiatives which were launched to follow up the African Synod, the
most important was a meeting organized by the Religious Superiors Association of
Kenya at Langata, Nairobi, Kenya on 8 and 9 July, 1994. Bishops, priests,
religious and laity from all over Kenya attended, with Cardinal Maurice Otunga,
Archbishop of Nairobi, presiding over the opening Mass at Tangaza College. The
celebration itself was a good example of liturgical inculturation with African
music and dancing. The most poignant moment came at the offertory dance when a
young "warrior" approached the celebrant with bow and arrow, presenting them to
be broken in a symbolic renunciation of war and violence. The cardinal broke
the arrow and was visibly overcome by the significance of the gesture he had
per- formed. The incident made a strong impression on all present.