KENYA: A Coadjutor Bishop for Garissa appointed
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| Rt. Rev. Joseph Alessandro OFM Cap. Coadjutor Bishop-Elect of Garissa |
Fr. Joseph Alessandro O.F.M. Cap., vicar
general of the diocese of Garissa, Kenya, as coadjutor of the same diocese
(area 142,704, population 847,500, Catholics 8,500, priests 17, religious 29).
The bishop-elect was born in Paola, Malta on 27th October 1949 and
ordained a priest on 5th April 1970. He has worked in education,
including as rector of INSERM (Institutum Nationale Studiorum Ecclesiasticorum
Religiosorum Melitensium), and has also held various positions of
responsibility in his religious congregation.
general of the diocese of Garissa, Kenya, as coadjutor of the same diocese
(area 142,704, population 847,500, Catholics 8,500, priests 17, religious 29).
The bishop-elect was born in Paola, Malta on 27th October 1949 and
ordained a priest on 5th April 1970. He has worked in education,
including as rector of INSERM (Institutum Nationale Studiorum Ecclesiasticorum
Religiosorum Melitensium), and has also held various positions of
responsibility in his religious congregation.
Established
as Apostolic Prefecture oOn Friday 29 June it was made public that the Holy Father appointed f Garissa on 9th December 1976 from Diocese of Mombasa
and Diocese of Meru, Garissa was promoted to a diocese on 3rd February 1984 and
Rt. Rev. Leo White, OFM Cap. became the first Bishop. On 3rd February
1984, Rt. Rev. Paul Darmanin, OFM Cap. was appointed bishop of Garissa upon
resignation of Rt. Rev. Leo White.
as Apostolic Prefecture oOn Friday 29 June it was made public that the Holy Father appointed f Garissa on 9th December 1976 from Diocese of Mombasa
and Diocese of Meru, Garissa was promoted to a diocese on 3rd February 1984 and
Rt. Rev. Leo White, OFM Cap. became the first Bishop. On 3rd February
1984, Rt. Rev. Paul Darmanin, OFM Cap. was appointed bishop of Garissa upon
resignation of Rt. Rev. Leo White.
Rt.
Rev. Paul Darmanin was born 6th November 1940, ordained a priest on
26th March 1966 and was consecrated a bishop of Garissa on 3rd
June 1984.
Rev. Paul Darmanin was born 6th November 1940, ordained a priest on
26th March 1966 and was consecrated a bishop of Garissa on 3rd
June 1984.
On
2nd June 2000 Garissa Diocese lost territory to establish Diocese of
Malindi.
2nd June 2000 Garissa Diocese lost territory to establish Diocese of
Malindi.
On
1st July 2012, at least 16 people were killed and scores injured in
twin grenade and gun attacks at the Garissa Catholic Church and AIC churches. Police
said that the attacks occurred simultaneously on Sunday morning as the
congregations were in prayers and no arrests have been made so far. Witnesses
said the attackers were wearing balaclavas. Among the dead are two police
officers who also lost two guns to the attackers in the attack at the local
Africa Inland Church.
1st July 2012, at least 16 people were killed and scores injured in
twin grenade and gun attacks at the Garissa Catholic Church and AIC churches. Police
said that the attacks occurred simultaneously on Sunday morning as the
congregations were in prayers and no arrests have been made so far. Witnesses
said the attackers were wearing balaclavas. Among the dead are two police
officers who also lost two guns to the attackers in the attack at the local
Africa Inland Church.
Two
grenades were thrown at the congregation at the Catholic Church but only one
exploded. At the AIC church, the attackers used two rifles they allegedly
grabbed from the two officers to shoot at the congregation.
grenades were thrown at the congregation at the Catholic Church but only one
exploded. At the AIC church, the attackers used two rifles they allegedly
grabbed from the two officers to shoot at the congregation.
According
to North Eastern Provincial Commissioner James ole Serien the attackers at the
Catholic Church did not get in but threw the grenades from outside because the
officers deployed at the entrance had been screening those getting in. He also
said that the gang later on escaped with the rifles after their killing spree.
to North Eastern Provincial Commissioner James ole Serien the attackers at the
Catholic Church did not get in but threw the grenades from outside because the
officers deployed at the entrance had been screening those getting in. He also
said that the gang later on escaped with the rifles after their killing spree.
Meanwhile
the Catholic Bishops in Kenya through the Chairman of Kenya Episcopal
Conference strongly condemned the attack terming it unjustifiable acts of
violence. They called on all Kenyans to remain vigilant and cooperate with the
security agencies and other authorities to ensure their security is guaranteed.
the Catholic Bishops in Kenya through the Chairman of Kenya Episcopal
Conference strongly condemned the attack terming it unjustifiable acts of
violence. They called on all Kenyans to remain vigilant and cooperate with the
security agencies and other authorities to ensure their security is guaranteed.
They
sent messages of condolence to the bereaved families and quick recovery to the
injured. In addition the Catholic Bishops of Kenya sent messages of solidarity
to Bishop Silas Yego of the African Inland Church and Bishop Paul Darmanin,
Bishop of the Catholic diocese of Garissa.
sent messages of condolence to the bereaved families and quick recovery to the
injured. In addition the Catholic Bishops of Kenya sent messages of solidarity
to Bishop Silas Yego of the African Inland Church and Bishop Paul Darmanin,
Bishop of the Catholic diocese of Garissa.
The
Chilling grenades attack at the churches in Garissa on Sunday 1st
July, barely two days after being elected a coadjutor bishop is indeed a sad welcome to the bishop-elect of Garissa, Rt. Rev. Joseph
Alessandro; however, it is our prayer that God will give him the courage to
shepherd his people in whatever circumstance there will be. AMECEA wishes him
God’s blessings.
Chilling grenades attack at the churches in Garissa on Sunday 1st
July, barely two days after being elected a coadjutor bishop is indeed a sad welcome to the bishop-elect of Garissa, Rt. Rev. Joseph
Alessandro; however, it is our prayer that God will give him the courage to
shepherd his people in whatever circumstance there will be. AMECEA wishes him
God’s blessings.
Source: AMECEA Social
Communications
Communications
