KENYA: Newly Ordained Bishop Calls for Unity and Deeper Commitment in Ministry

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

Addressing the people of God after his consecration and installation on Saturday, May 6, at Nakuru Boys High School, the newly ordained Bishop for Nakuru Diocese has asked Christians and all people of good will to foster unity for the development and success of the Diocese.

During the Saturday event, while appreciating all the people who have supported him in various ways to reach the altar of God and serve as a Shepherd, Bishop Cleophas Oseso Tuka promised to journey together with the people of Nakuru: the clergy, Religious, laity, government official and people of other faiths as he asked for more commitment in God’s service.

“There is a lot we have to do together to fully support our pastoral initiatives and Social development ministries,” the newly ordained Bishop told the clergy religious and the Laity as he promised his availability, time to listen and to do whatever is in his power to serve.

He further appreciated the Clergy and Religious of the Diocese for the tremendous support and encouragements they have given him promising that they will “focus on the future of the diocese together guided by the will of God and his word.”

He continued, “I will constantly call for your help in prayer, in resource mobilization and in sacrificing your time and treasures…In fact, today I ask you to please pray even more intensely for my intentions and those of our Diocese.”

Stressing more on the aspect of unity, Bishop Oseso who was appointed as the fourth Bishop of Nakuru Diocese in Mid-February, asked the people of God from other Faiths to join hands for the salvation of souls.

He echoes St. John Pauls’ message on collaboration saying, “What unites us is much greater than what divides us,” therefore, “Let us work together for the salvation of souls.”

Speaking to thousands of congregants from all walks of life including political leaders who attended the Episcopal ordination on Saturday, Bishop Oseso disclosed that after much reflection prior to his ordination, he realized that “one cannot run away from God’s plan but is only to accept and depend on prayers his Graces.”

He therefore commended his office as a Shepherd to the guidance of the Holy Spirit saying, “I pray that his graces will continually nourish me and strengthen me for this ministry of service.”

To the government leaders especially from Nakuru and Baringo counties which covers his jurisdiction, Bishop Oseso narrated, “I call for support, cooperation and good relationship for the good of our people. My appeal is to unite our people and work for peace. Let us join hands to provide essential services on health, education and water to our people.”

He thanked Pope Francis for appointing him as a Shepherd for Nakuru Diocese and pledged his loyalty to the Pope and his successors wishing to do his best and smell like the sheep as Pope Francis normally advises all priests all the time.

Speaking during the same event, the chairman for the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Most Rev. Martin Kivuva Musonde after congratulating the new Bishop and welcoming him as a member of the conference, he talked against a controversial religion in the country that has led to loss of over 100 lives as a result of starvation.

“As a conference, we are concerned that instead of the government seeking to address the matter, (controversial religion), attention is now on the regulation of churches,” Archbishop Kivuva of Mombasa Archdiocese said.

“We ask our political leaders to stop demonizing the practice of religion because of an obvious criminal act that would have been abated if our security agencies were alert and the plight of the people of Kenya,” he said.