KENYA: Pope Francis appoints Apostolic Administrator to Military Ordinariate
From left Very Rev, Fr. Benjamin Maswili congratulated by KCCB General Secretary Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Rono
The Holy Father Pope Francis on 30th, December, 2016 appointed Very Rev. Fr. Benjamin Kituto Maswili as the Apostolic Administrator of the Military Ordinariate in Kenya.
congratulated by KCCB General Secretary
Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Rono
In a memo sent to The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) staff by the General Secretary Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Rono, until his appointment by the Pontiff, Fr. Maswili who is a Religious priest from the Congregation of the Apostles of Jesus was the Principle Chaplain in the Military Ordinariate.
The position of the Apostolic Administrator to the Military Ordinariate fell vacant in 2013 following the retirement of Rt. Rev. Alfred Rotich after attaining the retirement age of 55 years as required in the military service.
In his letter, Fr. Rono congratulated Fr. Maswili on his new appointment and requested the staff members to pray for him as he takes up his new assignment. Meanwhile, during an interview with Fr. Maswili, he expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for entrusting him to shepherd in the military and to the Bishops for their support.
He said his immediate undertaking will be to offer spiritual and psychological support to the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) soldiers and families affected by the attacks and killings by al-Shabaab while on a peace keeping mission in Somalia.
“We need to train more catechists and priests to help in counselling the affected families of fallen soldiers and wounded soldiers to be able to live a normal life again.” He said.
He added that, he will promote Pontifical Missionary Childhood (PMC) amongst the children under his care to ensure that Christianity is embraced in their families.
Born on 25th, January 1964, Col Dr. Fr. Benjamin K. Maswili holds a Doctorate in Philosophy and in Theology with specialization in Sacred Liturgy.
