The wise men from the East couldn’t hide their joy upon finding the Lord. This same joy has been witnessed in the Catholic Diocese of Machakos after the Holy See, Pope Leo XIV, appointed Bishop Joseph Maluki Mwongela, the Local Ordinary of the Catholic Diocese of Kitui in Kenya, as Coadjutor Bishop of  Machakos Diocese, granting him the “right of succession” in accordance with Canon 403 §3 of the Code of Canon Law.

The appointment was announced by the Holy See Press Office on Sunday, January 4, the Feast of the Epiphany.

In announcing the appointment, the Catholic Mirror, an online publication of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), described the move as one that “signals continuity and renewed pastoral energy” for the Diocese of Machakos.

As Coadjutor Bishop, Bishop Mwongela will assist Bishop Norman King’oo Wambua, the current Local Ordinary of Machakos, and is to automatically succeed him upon the vacancy of the Kenyan Episcopal See, ensuring a smooth and orderly pastoral transition.

Bishop Mwongela, who has served as Bishop of Kitui since his Episcopal Consecration in August 2020, is set to succeed the fourth Bishop of Machakos, who stands in a line of episcopal leadership that includes the late Archbishop Raphael Ndingi Mwana’a Nzeki, the late Bishop Urbanus Joseph Kioko and Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde, who was later transferred to head the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa.

For over three years (February 2015 – August 2018), the Diocese of Machakos also benefited from the pastoral oversight of Archbishop Anthony Muheria of Nyeri Catholic Archdiocese, who served as Apostolic Administrator during a period of transition.

Born on 7 April 1968 in Kakumi, within the Diocese of Kitui, Bishop Mwongela brings to Machakos a pastoral style shaped by years of service, theological formation, and close engagement with the people of God.

Academically, Bishop Mwongela holds a licentiate in Dogmatic Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University and a doctorate from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome.

During his Episcopal Ordination on 29 August 2020 at the grounds of St. Charles Lwanga School, Kitui, Bishop Mwongela outlined a pastoral vision rooted in humility and service.

He is the current Chairman for the Commission for Pastoral and Lay Apostolate in the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB)

As he prepares to take up his new role in Machakos Diocese, his pastoral priorities of unity, humble service, evangelization, and engagement with social realities are expected to continue shaping his Episcopal ministry.

The Catholic Church in Kenya has a reason to rejoice and thank God again after his Holiness Pope Francis made another appointment of Rev. Fr. Peter Munguti Makau, I.M.C. as a coadjutor bishop for the catholic diocese of Isiolo, barely 15 months after its elevation to the status of a Diocese

This announcement, which comes as the third in a row for Kenya, was made public alongside other appointments by the Vatican on Saturday, May 4. Mons. Peter will take over from 74-year-old Rt Rev Anthony Ireri Mukobo, IMC, upon retirement, as the second bishop of the diocese of Isiolo. Once ordained as Coadjutor bishop, he will have the right of automatic succession.

Who is a Coadjutor Bishop?

This is an assistant bishop with the right of succession upon the resignation/retirement or death of the diocesan bishop. Before a bishop coadjutor is elected, the diocesan bishop must consent to such an election and state the duties which will be assigned to the bishop coadjutor when duly ordained and consecrated.

The presence of a coadjutor bishop, therefore, ensures that there is no period during which the episcopal see is vacant. Under this arrangement, the transfer of authority to a new diocesan bishop from his predecessor is as seamless as possible.

Mons. Peter Munguti Makau, I.M.C., was born on May 6 1975 in Nairobi. He began his religious formation as a Consolata Missionary in Nairobi at the Consolata Seminary where he carried out his postulate and completed his studies in philosophy.

He carried out his novitiate in Sagana, Kenya, and gave his first vows on 6 August 1999. He completed his studies in theology in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, at the Institut Saint-Eugène de Mazenod and gave his perpetual vows on December 5 2003. Later he was ordained a priest on November 20, 2004 in the diocese of Machakos.

After ordination he obtained a Diploma in Canon Law at the Universidad Monteávila in Caracas (Venezuela).

Leadership Roles

He has held the following positions: Parish Priest in Carapita, Catholic Archdiocese of Caracas (2006-2014); Superior Delegate for Venezuela for two mandates (2014-2019). Since 2019 he has been Regional Superior of the Consolata Missionaries in Kenya and Uganda.

Mons. Makau will help Bishop Ireri in administration of the 25, 336 square kilometers diocese with a population of about 177,730 people with 69,070 being catholics. It has 21 diocesan priests and 5 religious priests, 6 male religious and 78 female religious persons serving the faithfuls in the 14 parishes.

Congratulamur Episcopo Electo necnon toti Romano-Catholicae Fideli Catholicae Dioecesis Isioloae

Sources:

1. Catholic Information Service for Africa– CISA
2. Vicariate Apostolic of Isiolo: Acta Apostalicae Sedis, Volume 88, page 348

It’s all joys and Congratulations to the Archdiocese of Nairobi after the Holy Father, Pope Francis appointed two of the diocesan priests, Rev. Fr. Dr. Simon Peter Kamomoe and Rev. Fr. Wallace Ng’ang’a to be auxiliary bishops of the archdiocese of Nairobi.

The appointment was made public on Tuesday, 13^th February 2024 by the Pope’s representative, His Excellency Hubertus Maria Van Megen, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan, at the Holy Family Minor Basilica, Nairobi Kenya at 1400hrs EAT.

WHO IS AN AUXILIARY BISHOP AND WHAT DOES HE DO?

The auxiliary is strictly a helper, He’s an assistant bishop, but without any ordinary jurisdiction of any kind. The [diocesan bishop] maintains full and total jurisdiction, authority and administrative competence. In certain Dioceses, the high number of Catholics to be ministered to necessitates the appointing of one or more auxiliary bishops. But, because of his episcopal rank, he is considered at a higher level than anybody else. It’s a recognition of his episcopal status.

The Role of an auxiliary bishop ordinarily is to carry out episcopal duties, whenever the diocesan bishop requires it, and that the diocesan bishop is not to assign such duties “habitually” to anyone else.

Such tasks include those which only a bishop can perform, such as ordinations or the dedication of a church. But they can also involve presiding at other diocesan and important parish events that the diocesan bishop would ordinarily attend, including confirmations.

Mons. Kamomoe, born in Nov 1962 studied his philosophical and theological studies at St. Augustine’s Senior Seminary Mabanga in Kenya’s Catholic Diocese of Bungoma and St. Matthias Mulumba Senior Seminary Tindinyo in the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret, Kenya, respectively. He was later ordained a Priest for the ADN in 1994. Since then, he has served as assistant Parish Priest, Parish Priest, and member of the College of Consultors of ADN, among other Priestly duties. He later on advanced and holds a doctorate from the Nairobi-based Catholic University of Eastern African (CUEA)

Until his February 13 Episcopal appointment, the Kenyan-born Catholic Priest has, since 2008, been serving as the Administrator of the Holy Family Minor Basilica; as well as the Family Life Chaplain of Nairobi Archdiocese.

Mons. Ng’ang’a, born in March 1973, had his Priestly formation and studies in the Kenyan Major Seminaries that the Bishop-elect Kamomoe attended. He later was ordained a Priest for the same Kenyan Archdiocese in May 2005. He later obtained a master’s degree in Pastoral Theology from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA).

As a Priest, Fr. Ng’ang’a has served as the Assistant Parish Priest of Regina Coeli Parish Karen, and Parish Priest of Christ the King Church Embakasi, among other Priestly duties.

Until his February 13 Episcopal appointment, the Bishop-elect has been the Pastoral Coordinator of the ADN and Parish Priest of Queen of Apostle Ruaraka Parish.

Once Mons. Kamomoe and Mons. Ng’ang’a have been Consecrated Bishops, they, alongside Bishop David Kamau Ng’ang’a, will assist His Grace Archbishop Philip Anyolo in shepherding the people of God in the 3,721 square-kilometer Metropolitan See with 120 Parishes.

Congratulations to the two bishop-elects and we pray that the good Lord who called them to this noble task may grant them the zeal to carry it out till the end.

The Holy See, Pope Francis, has appointed Lieutenant Colonel and Reverend Father John Njue Njeru as the new Apostolic administrator of the Military Ordinariate in Kenya.

The appointment of Mons. Njue, was made public on Tuesday, January 30 during a meeting with the  Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) The introduction of Monsignor Njeru was done by the KCCB chairman Most Rev. Martin Kivuva at the Catholic Secretariate, Waumini House.

Born on July 3, 1972, and ordained a Priest for the Catholic Diocese of Embu in April 2002, Monsignor Njeru has an extensive background in military and pastoral service. His service in the Catholic Church has been marked by a series of significant milestones.

Early Life and Ordination:

Monsignor Njeru’s spiritual journey began with his baptism at Nguviu Parish on August 5, 1972, followed by confirmation at the same parish on March 3, 1982. His dedication to the ministry became evident on May 17, 1997, when he took on the role of Acolyte at Sacred Heart – Kyeni Parish. Later, on August 24, 2001, he was ordained a deacon and served at St. John the Baptist – Kirie Parish. Taking a step further in his commitment, he was ordained as a priest on April 6, 2002, continuing his service at St. John the Baptist – Kirie Parish.

Educational Background:

Monsignor Njeru completed his KCSE at Nguviu Boys High School from 1988 to 1991. Subsequently, he earned degrees and diplomas in Philosophical and Religious Studies (1993-1994) and Theological Studies (1995-2000) from Urbaniana University. His educational pursuits also include a Higher Diploma in Psychological Counseling (2008-2009) from KEMU College and a Master’s degree in Social Ministry (2016-2018) from Tangaza University College. Notably, he holds a certificate in Military Ethics and Integrity from the Jordanian Military School (2015) and attended a Leadership Conference at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, United Kingdom, in 2022.

Military and Pastoral Assignments:

Monsignor Njeru’s diverse roles include serving as the Military Ordinariate of Kenya Biblical Pastoral Ministry Coordinator from September 2003 to July 2023. His contributions as Staff Officer – Class 2 (SO2) from January 2008 to September 2011 involved coordinating operations at the Military Ordinariate secretariat, facilitating planning, implementation, and monitoring of pastoral programs, and overseeing recruitment and training of pastoral agents.

He succeeds Very Rev. Mons. Benjamin Kituto Maswili, who has retired from service in the military after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60.

Congratulations Padre in your appointment. All the best.