AMECEA: ‘A Good Shepherd, Ready to Take Risks for God,’ AMECEA Chairman on Late Bishop Darmanin
Bishop Emeritus of Garissa Rt. Rev. Paul Darmanin
Andrew Kaufa smm
Chairman of AMECEA Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde has condoled the Ordinary of Garissa, the Capuchin family on the passing on of Bishop Emeritus of Garissa Rt. Rev. Paul Darmanin whose lifestyle as bishop, he describes as simple, humble and ever ready to takes risks for God and his people.
Bishop Darmanin OFM Cap. died on July 25, 2023, in Floriana, Archdiocese of Malta, where he retired after serving as Bishop of Garissa, Kenya, from 1984 to 2015.
In his condolence message, Bishop Kasonde who is the Ordinary of Solwezi Diocese has commended the late Bishop Darmanin for responding to his call to be the first bishop of Garissa, a Catholic diocese which is situated in the north-eastern part of Kenya towards the border with Somalia, despite its despite its unique socio-political, cultural and religious environment.
“It is already difficult to be first bishop of a diocese; and it was even more difficult for the deceased to be bishop of Garissa, considering the political, social, cultural and religious environment when he took office in 1984, reads part of the message adding, “Yet, in silence, simplicity and humility Bishop Darmanin responded to the call of the Lord and stood out as a good shepherd of Garissa, amidst a handful of zealous priests who were always ready to take risks for God.”
“His preferential option for the most vulnerable and the poor characterized his prophetic stance and leadership style so much that he endured several attacks, sometimes at gunpoint yet without surrendering,” continues the chairman of AMECEA as recalls some of the challenges that he faced during the thirty-five years of his service as Ordinary of Garissa, and his passion for education and health care.
The prefecture Apostolic of Garissa which used to be part of the dioceses of Mombasa and Meru, was elevated to the status of diocese on February 3, 1984, upon which Pope John Paul II appointed as its first bishop. As of the 2022 statistics, the Diocese has 7 parishes, 15 priests of which 9 are diocesan and 6 are Religious. In addition, Garissa has 19 female Religious serving in different social and pastoral programs of the diocese.
The late Bishop Darmanin has died at the age of 83 years. He was ordained as priest of the Order of the Friars Minor Capuchin in 1966.
“At the same time, we join you in thanking God who gave us a privilege to work with such a true follower of Jesus in the footsteps of Saint Francis,” says Rt. Rev. Kasonde.
