AMECEA: AMECEA Mourns Rev. Prof. Gichure of Catholic University of Eastern Africa

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

Following the untimely death of Rev. Prof. Peter Ignatius Gichure, Saturday, July 31, Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) through the Secretary General, has sent condolences message to Kenya’s Nakuru Diocese where the late hails from, describing him a renowned theologian who was committed in his ministry as a priest and a lecture.

“I received with deep sorrow the news about the demise of Rev. Prof. Peter Gichure, a renowned lecture of theology at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) and a resource person for AMECEA capacity building programs,” Fr. Anthony Makunde eulogized in a message sent to the Local Ordinary of Nakuru Catholic Diocese Bishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba.

“We will remember Fr. Gichure for his dedication and commitment to service not only to the Catholic University where he was stationed but also in various institutions, conferences, dioceses and formation houses when he was called to assist in pastoral, spiritual and academic matters,” Fr. Makunde recounts the dedication of the cleric who has served for decades at CUEA and its affiliate colleges adding that “His untimely death has left many of us with sorrow.”

Sending his message on behalf of AMECEA Chairman, Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde of Solwezi Diocese, Zambia, the Secretary General condoles with the entire Dioceses of Nakuru, members of CUEA and the immediate family of the late theologian during this sorrowful moment.

Described as a hard worker who readily availed himself to offer his services, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of CUEA Very Rev. Prof. Stephen Mbugua Ngari said in his homily during the requiem Mass Tuesday, August 3, “Peter blended his academic life with pastoral work and never wanted to lose focus of his calling as a priest.”

“What Christ has given us through him now he becomes, and he lives in that glory and in the benefits of the Sacraments and the witness that he offered us,” Prof. Fr. Mbugua told mourners who attended the Tuesday event at CUEA campus, Nairobi.

Talking on behalf of African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC) fraternity where the late Prof. Gichure offered his services whenever he was called upon, the ASEC Kenya director Sr. Joyce Kwamboka Nyakwama said, “We have lost an icon, an ardent supporter of ASEC programs and a strong pillar from the very start of the development and expansion of HESA (Higher Education for Sisters in Africa) programs in Kenya and Africa.”

“He has always been at every meeting and conference that comprised of members from various ASEC partner universities across Africa and in the US and out of these meetings we saw the growth of ASEC and HESA,” Sr. Nyakwama a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame congregation shared with mourners adding that Prof. Gichure played a key role in launching PhD HESA programs last year.

On his side, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) Designate Prof. David Wang’ombe of Tangaza University College, a constituent of CUEA eulogized Professor as a mentor who guided constituent colleges of CUEA to be mature and strive towards being fully fledged Universities.

“He guided us with compassion, never gave up on us and reminded us to always seek to do the right and the just,” Prof. Wang’ombe said on behalf of all the constituent and affiliate colleges of CUEA.

The late Prof. Gichure was laid to rest Wednesday, August 4, in Nakuru Diocese.