KENYA: “Do Whatever He Tells you,” Archbishop Muhatia to Christians of Nakuru Diocese Ahead of Episcopal Ordination of the New Bishop
Archbishop of Kisumu Metropolitan Maurice Muheria Makumba
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Prior to Episcopal Ordination of Monsignor Cleophas Oseso Tuka the Bishop-elect of Nakuru Diocese located in the Rift Valley region of Kenya, the immediate former Bishop of the same Diocese has called upon Christians to obey their new Shepherd.
Reflecting on the Gospel of St. John the Apostle on the wedding at Cana, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba reminded the Christians whom he served for over a decade before being appointed as Local Ordinary of Kisumu Archdiocese, to remember the words of the Mother of Jesus to the servants and do the same to the new bishop.
“May Our Blessed Mother Mary intercede for you as you welcome your new Shepherd. May her message to the servants at the wedding of Cana ring sweetly in your ears: “Do whatever he tells you,” the Archbishop said in an interview with AMECEA Online, urging Christians to be submissive to the new Bishop.
He further called on the people of God in Nakuru to support the new Bishop with enthusiasm and passion particularly in the work of evangelization saying, “I know what you are capable of doing and I am assured that with your new shepherd, brighter days of Nakuru lie ahead. May you continue in the same spirit of zeal and love for the Church and for the work of evangelization.”
According to Archbishop Muhatia, Msgr. Oseso whom he describes as “a very solid person” and who served as the Vicar General during his leadership as the Local Ordinary of Nakuru, has a lot of experience with the Diocese.
“I am confident that he (Msgr. Oseso) will work closely with the Christian faithful of Nakuru in carrying forward the work of evangelization. He has the advantage of knowing the diocese very well and this will make it a lot easier as he begins his work as Bishop,” Archbishop Muhatia said.
He added, “Having served as Vicar General for quite some time, he has a lot of experience in the general running of the diocese and has been involved in a lot of the planning already – that is, pastorally, socially or developmentally. He has plenty of institutional memory and I am sure that this will help a great deal in the fast implementation of his pastoral plan for the diocese.”
On his part, Bro. Patrick Mathina representing the Religious fraternity in the planning committee for the Episcopal Ordination and Installation slated for Saturday, May 6, acknowledged that the preparations are on top gear as Christians await the day.
“So far so good…everything is ok,” the member of the congregation of Brothers of St. Peter Claver shared with AMECEA Online in an interview Wednesday, April 26, narrating that, the Diocese has had several sub-committees working hand in hand with the organizing committee for the success of the upcoming events.
“We have incorporated professionals to help with ideas in logistics, resource mobilization, health facilities, publicity among others and they are playing key roles in the preparations,” the Religious brother who has served in Nakuru for nearly seven years disclose and explained further, “We are in the final touches and so far the venue is okay, faithful mobilization is still going on well through parishes done by the Priests, religious and the leaders. We expect large number of the faithful to attend.”
Brother Mathina expressed that Christians are ready to work with the new Bishop and has the expectation that he the new Shepherd work towards bringing the people of God together.
“The Bishop-elect, through the grace of God, has a lot of work to ensure solidarity of all the faithful in the Catholic Church of Nakuru,” Br. Mathina said narrating that the services by the new Bishop should have “positive impact that brings total conversion to all the faithful in the Diocese.”
He said that the Liturgy Committee had composed a prayer for the Bishop-elect which all parishes and the religious houses are praying and from Thursday, April 27, the entire Diocese began a nine day novena for God’s guidance as Msgr. begins serving in a “demanding office that requires total commitment.”
The Bishop-elect was appointed by Pope Francis on Wednesday, February 15, to serve in a Diocese fell vacant on February 18, 2022, following the elevation of Most Rev. Muhatia. Since then Pope Francis appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Nairobi Archdiocese, Rt. Rev. David Kamau Nga’nga, in the month of March as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese.
