KENYA: Bishop Elect of Kenya’s Kitui Diocese Explains his Coat of Arms
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
After Pope Francis appointed Fr. Joseph Mwongela the new Local Ordinary of Kitui Diocese in the month of March, the Bishop-elect who will be consecrated on Saturday, August 29, has shared with AMECEA Online his coat of arms which will identify him and the Diocese.
Described as a source of inspiration to the Bishop-elect’s spiritual life and pastoral ministry as a shepherd, the coat of arms has a combination of various symbols which include an image of a dove with an olive branch, the human heart, a tree with deep roots and large branches and a symbol of the good shepherd.
The coat of arms has also been designed using various colors such as green, dark brown, blue, yellow and white stripes and sky blue.
According to the Bishop-elect, the image of a dove stands for the Holy Spirit coming to bring peace. He explains that Kitui Diocese needs to let the Holy Spirit work in as all Christians serve and build the kingdom of God here on earth and rest in peace in eternity when we leave this earth.
“We need the Holy Spirit to come into our hearts and transform us to embrace reconciliation and love, and extend an olive branch to other people including our enemies, real or imagined,” said Bishop-elect Joseph Mwongela.
The image of the human heart in the coat of arms is a sign to “help me reach out to the people and win their hearts.”
He wishes to have “a big heart” that will accommodate all, adding that through the symbol, his own heart must be on the Church because “where one’s treasure is, there is his or her heart too.”
The Bishop-elect prays that “our hearts be restless until they rest in God (and) that we may never flag in zeal as we seek to do the will of the one who has called us.”
In the note sent to AMECEA Online, the symbol of a tree with deep roots and large branches depicts the Kingdom of God growing like a mustard seed to become a large tree where birds of the air come to nest and the roots call for firmness in faith as received and transmitted to others in the Church.
The Church leader narrates further in relation to Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato Si’ that the tree represents “a place of shelter and refuge as we enjoy good fruits and implement social programs in the Diocese.”
“There is need to continue watering the tree so as to remain green and full of sap and with sweet fruits,” he said.
The image of the good shepherd symbolizes care for the flock characterized by love and tenderness.
The Bishop-elect prays that he may smell his sheep “and learn how to be a father to all.”
The Bishop-elect who has been promoting unity among the clergy, Religious and laity and wishes to continue with the same spirit in his new ministry as bishop whose motto is “Your will be done.”
He narrates that the motto drives him to do the will of God who called him “with total abandonment.”
Explaining the various colors used in the coat of arms Bishop-elect Mwongela said, “The green color of the tree and grass depicts life; the dark brown soil shows our land and the struggles of our people in food production; the blue color signifies love and devotion to Mary our Mother, Our Lady of Africa.”
“The sky blue with white symbolizes the heavenly glory as we seek to do the will of God here on earth as it is in heaven, while the yellow and white stripes show the colorfulness of our local people who despite their low income always want to shine for Christ,” he said adding that the Celtic cross at the back of the shield is the link with the Irish Missionaries who were the founders of Kitui Diocese.
