KENYA: Pope Francis Appoints Mons. Hieronymus Joya as Bishop for Diocese of Maralal
Mon. Hieronymus Joya, new Bishop of Maralal Diocese.
Sr. Henriette Anne Owino, FSSA
The Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Mon. Hieronymus Joya a member of the Institute of Consolata Missionaries (IMC) as the new Bishop of Maralal Diocese.
In the official communication by the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan His to the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), His Excellency Most Rev. Hubertus van Megen said, “I have the honour and pleasure to inform you that Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Father Hieronimus Joya, IMC as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Maralal. The Bishop-elect belongs to the Congregation of the Consolata Missionaries Fathers.”
Until his appointment, Mon. Joya has been pursuing his Doctoral Degree at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) based in Nairobi- Kenya, an Institute that is owned by the Association of Member Episcopal Conference in Easter Africa (AMECEA) while serving as a lecture at and formator at the Conslata Institute of Philosophy, Nairobi.
The Bishop-elect, who is the immediate former Regional Superior of IMC in Kenya and Uganda was ordained a priest in September, 5th 1998 after his completion of priestly studies at the Consolata Institute of Philosophy and Tangaza University College.
He has worked also in Loyangalana Parish in the Catholic Diocese of Marsabit and will serve as second Local Ordinary of Maralal after the retirement of Bishop Virgilio Pante at the age of 76 years old.
In an interview with the Seed Magazine, he thanked Bishop Pante for the good work he has done in the Diocese of Maralal and promised to build on the good works that he has done. He further asked the people to pray as they prepare for the celebration to take place and for them to start working as the people of God building themselves spiritually and humanly according to the will of the Universal Church.
He promised them love, prayer and support in all senses of God’s will.
