KENYA: New Bishop for Malindi Diocese Installed

Thousands of Catholic faithful thronged the coastal town of Malindi on October 1st to witness the Episcopal installation of Rt Rev Emanuel Barbara O.F.M. Cap  as the new bishop of the diocese.

The ceremony was presided over by his Eminence John Cardinal Njue, assisted by Rt Rev Bishop Martin Kivuva of Machakos diocese who has been Malindi administrator after the death the former bishop Rt Rev Francis Baldacchino O.F.M. Cap.

In attendance was the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Paul Alain Lebeaupin.

During the ceremony, the cardinal thanked the people of Malindi for their unity and support to the administrator for the last two years. “Thank you my dear brothers and sisters in Christ for persevering, time now has come for you to get a new shepherd, support him, love him as you work together for the growth of the Church in Malindi.”

Cardinal Njue reminded Malindi faithful that the diocese is young and it has a unique history of its Christianity and he asked them to take up the challenge to promote the growth of faith which was installed by Vasco Da Dama and the Augustinian priests who were the first to settle in the area. 

The faithful were also asked to welcome the new bishop and let him guide them in their spiritual need and the development of the diocese.

In his inaugural homily, Bishop Barbara thanked the cardinal for accepting to take up the responsibility of installing him and the Pope’s representative in Kenya, his Excellency the Papal nuncio, Archbishop Paul Alain Lebeaupin, for his reflective inspiration.

The new bishop also expressed his appreciation to the Arch/Bishops whom he said had a lot to do but spared their time to be with him, and for accepting  to work with them in the  Episcopal responsibility. For those who were not able to attend he said, “he also received their apology with understanding.”

To the clergy, religious and faithful of Malindi, he promised  that he will be ready to listen with deep respect  to them,  “I will do what I can  to be a sign of God’s compassion, to heal the broken hearted, comfort those who are morning and to promote and protect the Kingdom of God among us”

In his speech, the Apostolic Nuncio thanked the religious and clergy in the diocese for working together for two years and that a time has come for them to have a shepherd. He told  the new bishop that  “the Church requires him to lead as a good shepherd  the groups entrusted to him by the Church” and to the clergy  religious and the  faithful of Malindi  to  support  their  bishop for the  growth of their diocese.