KENYA: KCCB General Secretary Calls on Local Church to Support Bishops, as he Leaves Office after Seven Years of Service
The KCCB outgoing General Secretary Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Rono
Rose Achiego Ande
After seven years of service as the General Secretary of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Rono has called on the local Church to be supportive to the Bishops especially in their various projects.
Fr. Rono’s term in office came to an end on Thursday, December 31, 2020. His successor Very Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Lugonzo has taken over from Friday, January 1, 2021 after appointment by KCCB Permanent Council.
Fr Rono in an interview sighted dwindling donor funding as a major challenge to the mission of evangelization. “I appeal to our Christians to be supportive of the local Church by giving their generous contributions as people of God,” he said.
The outgoing General Secretary has expressed gratitude to members of KCCB and his Local Ordinary Rt. Rev. Maurice Muhatia of Kenya’s Nakuru diocese for the opportunity to serve at the secretariat, adding that he has learned a lot from the Bishops.
“The bishops make a lot of sacrifices as they play an oversight role, deliver messages that resonate very well with the people and in their very busy schedules still find time to address the state of the nation,” Fr. Rono said.
He also prayed that leaders may be able to work towards peaceful co-existence and to exercise prudence when making their utterances by putting the interest of Kenyans first.
Meanwhile, the incoming KCCB General Secretary Very. Rev. Fr. Lugonzo thanked the bis
hops for appointing him to work at the secretariat adding that he looks forward to their continued support as he executes his duties in realizing KCCB’s Vision and Mission http://kccb.or.ke/index.php/vision-missiom/
“The secretariat belongs to the Bishops, hence I look forward to the Bishops’ spiritual and moral support, prayers, and constant correction and advice especially the KCCB Chairman Most Rev. Philip Anyolo and the Principle Administrator Rt. Rev. John Oballa Owaa,” Fr. Lugonzo said.
He has acknowledged submission to the laid down structures and policies revealing that institutions thrive where there is very clear structures.
Fr. Lugonzo further called on the KCCB staff to work for the common values and mission of the conference, embrace the core-values, put them at heart, and work as a team.
“There are strong, positive-minded staff members. Let us work towards the unity of purpose and meaning. However, unity should not be based on personal friendship,” Fr. Lugonzo said and continued, “You are champions since you are serving at the Catholic secretariat. So unite to deliver the mandate given by the bishops.”
Fr. Lugonzo who has promised to work with dedication and commitment, has thanked the KCCB staff for support and positive welcome.
He is the former Secretary-General of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) where he served from July 2011 to July 2018. Until his appointment, he was serving at the KCCB General Secretariat as the National Director of the Canon Law National Office and a lecturer at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) Canon Law Department.
