KENYA: Regional Superior for Consolata Missionaries, Appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Kenya’s Isiolo Diocese
Bishop-elect for Isiolo Diocese, Msgr. Peter Munguti Makau, (IMC)
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
On Saturday, May 4, Pope Francis appointed the Provincial Superior for Consolata Missionaries (IMC) in Kenya and Uganda Msgr. Peter Munguti Makau as Coadjutor Bishop of Isiolo Diocese in the upper eastern region of Kenya.
According to descriptions in the Code of Canon Law Can. 403 §3, Msgr. Makau who has been the regional superior since 2019 will be given special faculties on “the right of succession” and when the current bishop retires or dies, he will immediately become his successor (c. 409 §1).
The Bishop-elect will therefore assist in the administrative work of the Diocese that was recently elevated from an Apostolic Vicariate to a Diocese in 2023, where Bishop Anthony Ireri Mukobo was installed as the first Local Ordinary.
Like the diocesan bishop, a coadjutor bishop and an auxiliary bishop are obliged to reside in the diocese, Can. 410.
In a video clip interview with Consolata Communications later after the announcement, Msgr. Makau revealed that news of the appointment was the “most shocking news he has ever received in his life and that it is very difficult to say no to the Holy Father.” The added that “the God who has called him will give him the necessary graces to carry out the mission.”
Since Isiolo is a small Church that is growing after its elevation to a Diocese last year Msgr. Makau said in the video clip, “It is the moment of putting the pillars of the Church and continuing with the work Bishop Mukobo has begun.”
After his ordination as a Consolata Priest in November 2004, Bishop-elect has since served in various capacities including being a Parish Priest in Carapita, Catholic Archdiocese of Caracas, Superior Delegate for Venezuela for two mandates (2014-2019) and also pursued studies in the Universidad Monteávila in Caracas Venezuela where he obtained a Diploma in Canon Law.
