KENYA: Commitment to True Religious Calling, Highlight of Jesuits New Provincial of Eastern Africa Province
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
On the occasion of change of leadership for the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in Eastern Africa Province, the new provincial Fr. Kizito Kiyimba has emphasized to his brothers the significance of cooperation and the need for being committed to Religious calling.
Speaking to members of Eastern Africa Province, collaborators and friends of the Jesuits in his inauguration address Thursday, December 3, Fr. Kiyimba stated, “It is going to be cooperation among all of us and a commitment to live true to our calling.”
He added, “I urge and encourage us all of us as a Province to make our presence in the various geographical and ecclesiastical locations still more meaningful. Let us be known for who we are and without apology, by the political world, by civic society (and) by the business world.”
“There is a lot we can do together, but it must begin by our assuming fully the identity we profess and carry. We are Jesuits, and we want to engage and to be known as such,” the new Jesuits Provincial of Eastern Africa who has been serving as the Vice Chancellor of Arrupe Jesuit University in Harare, Zimbabwe emphasized.
Fr. Kiyimba reminded the Jesuits that in order to bear fruits of honest and realist self-knowledge while engaging with the society as Province, they need to move in the direction of radical accountability and a conscious commitment to protect the vulnerable.
Addressing the outgoing Provincial Fr. Joseph Oduor Afulo during the event that took place at Mwangaza Jesuit Spiritual Centre, Nairobi and which was also live streamed on YouTube, Fr. Kiyimba appreciated his predecessor for his dedication in serving the members of the Society of Jesus (SJ) and for his selflessness.
“We thank you for the generosity with which you led the Province and rendered service to the entire Society of Jesus, the Church, and God’s people. We thank you for the selflessness with which you constantly pointed us back to the documents that govern the Society, reminding us of the wealth of wisdom and the divine inspiration embedded in them,” the new Provincial underscored.
He continued while addressing Fr Afulo, “We thank you and your consult for the vision and courage with which you expanded the scope of our apostolic commitments – the new friends high and low that you gained for us and the strategies you have set in place for us to develop further. We thank you for the humility with which you went out and begged for the resources we need to exist as a Province. Above all, we thank you for your Christian faith and for your Jesuit vocation.”
He encouraged Fr. Afulo who is taking over from him as the new Vice Chancellor of Arrupe Jesuit University in Harare, Zimbabwe, saying, “You have given your very best and we pray that the Lord may continue to guide you in all aspects of leadership as you move on to Arrupe Jesuit University.”
In his homily during the Eucharistic celebration for change of office, Fr. Afulo the outgoing provincial reflected on the letter of Saint Francis Xavier, co-founder of the Society of Jesus, on the needs in the mission which is quite relevant in the contemporary society.
“We need to ask, ‘Whom shall I send?’ or ‘What shall we do?,’ Fr. Afulo posed, “May be this will shape my personal experience or it may shape our Province’s shared vision.”
He added, “It (the mission) reminds us that we are to continue being people of discernment, listening to what is going on around us. It is a continued call to collaboration and networking in mission.” Besides, “We must continue listening to hear where the word of God has not been sounded, and move with haste that they may hear the Good News.”
Fr Afulo who has served as Provincial of the Eastern Africa province of the Jesuits for the last six years told his brothers that as they thank the Lord for the gift of Fr. Kiyimba, they must also pray for him. “May the Lord grant him the graces to secure the preservation of unity of purpose and direction and continued growth for our Province.”
