A viral video showing women praying at the Komarock Shrine in Machakos County has sparked debate online over Catholic devotion, religious statues and the meaning of prayer.
The footage has drawn different reactions from Christians, particularly over the use of a large statue of the Virgin Mary carrying the body of Jesus.
Why Catholics Pray Before Mary’s Statue
For Catholics, statues and other religious images can serve as aids to prayer and devotion. Catholic teaching distinguishes between worship given to God and the veneration shown to Mary and the saints. The Catholic Church teaches that believers do not worship religious images themselves.
Instead, the images point believers toward the person represented and the wider Christian faith. Catholic teaching also holds that Mary can intercede for believers by praying to God on their behalf. Her role remains subordinate to Christ, whom Catholic doctrine identifies as the unique mediator between God and humanity.
Why the Practice Draws Criticism
The practice is viewed differently by some Protestant, Evangelical and Pentecostal Christians. Some Christians interpret biblical teachings concerning graven images more strictly.
From this perspective, kneeling or praying before a large religious statue can appear inconsistent with their understanding of worship.
They generally emphasise directing prayer to God through Jesus Christ without using statues or images as part of the prayer practice.
Komarock Shrine and the Wider Debate
The disagreement therefore goes beyond the particular video. It reflects longstanding differences among Christian denominations over religious images, intercession and how believers should express their faith.
The Catholic Church itself makes a distinction between veneration and adoration. Catholic teaching says adoration belongs to God alone, while Mary and the saints receive veneration.
As the Komarock video continues circulating online, the reactions highlight Kenya’s diverse Christian landscape and the different theological traditions within it.
Ultimately, the debate centres on a question that Christians from different denominations answer differently: Does using a religious image support devotion, or does it risk becoming idolatry?
