![\"\"](\"https:\/\/communications.amecea.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kakamega-priests-3-2026-04-22-at-20.52.10-300x169.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nRev. Dr. Emmanuel Chimombo<\/p>\n
In a rapidly changing world marked by shifting values, pastoral pressures, and deep spiritual hunger, the identity of the priest stands at a critical crossroads. Such was the experience for priests from Kenya\u2019s Kakamega Diocese from \u201cChekalini and Nzoia Deaneries, during their Annual Retreat, which spanned from 12-17th April. This was held in the Spiritual Gardens at The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, AMECEA-Gaba Campus- Eldoret.<\/p>\n
In his message, the Retreat Companion, Rev. Fr. Martin K. Tanui-Parish Priest of St. Francis of Assisi- Kapkoi Parish, from the Catholic Diocese of Kitale, boldly confronted the reality above, offering not just reflection, but a path forward, a rediscovery of the priest\u2019s true identity in the heart of Christ. He described crisis as a call to move beyond uncertainty and fragmentation into a renewed life of radical dependence on God and selfless service to His people.<\/p>\n
At its core, the retreat awakened a profound renewal by fostering the human, intellectual, spiritual, and pastoral integration of the 21st-century priest. Through his reflection, Fr Martin invited every participant to rediscover his identity not as a function or role, but as a living participation in the ministry of Jesus Christ, the eternal High Priest. This was not merely an intellectual exercise, but a deeply personal and spiritual journey.<\/p>\n
He challenged priests to confront the realities of their vocation today, its struggles, tensions, and graces, and to respond with courage and faith.<\/p>\n
Guided by scriptural texts, from the priesthood of Christ in Hebrews (Hebrews 7:1ff), to the call to self-giving love in the Gospel of John (John 15:12\u201313), and the strength found in weakness in Corinthians (2 Corinthians 12:9), participants were led into a deeper encounter with the mystery they embody.<\/p>\n
One of the most moving highlights of the retreat was the experience of the Spiritual Gardens, a sanctuary of grace where nature and revelation meet. Here, priests entered into an atmosphere of profound peace, silence, and contemplative stillness. The gardens, beautifully enriched with biblical themes and the inspiring witness of the saints, became more than a physical space; they transformed into a sacred encounter.<\/p>\n
In this serene environment, the presence of God was not merely spoken about; it was felt, contemplated, and encountered. The gardens stand as a living book of divine revelation in nature, echoing and deepening the truths of Sacred Scripture.<\/p>\n
As priests walked through these spaces, they were gently drawn into prayer, introspection, and renewal. Distractions faded. The noise of the ministry quietened. And in that stillness, a deeper clarity emerged. Step by step, they rediscovered the beauty of their calling. Moment by moment, they reconnected with Christ. Heart by heart, they were renewed for the mission.<\/p>\n
The renewal experienced during the retreat was not intended to remain confined within its setting, but to extend into the wider communities of faith across the Catholic Diocese of Kakamega.<\/p>\n
Chekalini Zone, one of the Diocese\u2019s key pastoral regions, comprises Chekalini and Nzoia Deaneries. The parishes within these deaneries together form an active and mission-oriented network of Christian communities, united in faith and service.<\/p>\n
Speaking during the farewell dinner, Rev. Prof. Nicholaus Segeja, Director of CUEA-AMECEA Gaba Campus, expressed his appreciation to the Bishop of Kakamega, the Right Rev. Joseph Obanyi Sagwe, and the diocesan clergy for choosing Gaba Campus as the venue for their retreat. He noted that the campus continues to serve as a center for spiritual and pastoral renewal, as well as intellectual engagement.<\/p>\n
He added that this contributes to the uniqueness of AMECEA Gaba Campus as not only a center of higher learning and research, but also a hub for spiritual, pastoral, and missionary renewal, thereby upholding its distinct Catholic identity and tradition.<\/p>\n
Rev. Prof. Segeja further highlighted the distinctive character of Gaba, particularly its Spiritual Gardens, describing this as a unique environment where faith and reason converge to promote holistic human development.<\/p>\n
On behalf of the participants, Fr. Kigame, Dean of Nzoia, conveyed appreciation to the Gaba community for their hospitality and the conducive atmosphere provided for prayer and reflection. He further thanked the CUEA Gaba Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Dunstan Epaalat, for accepting and directing the priests to use the Gaba facilities. It was an eye-opener. Fr Kigame further affirmed that the experience would be shared with others and indicated that Gaba would be recommended as a preferred venue for future retreats among parish groups, religious communities, and others<\/p>\n
A Lasting Call<\/strong><\/p>\n This retreat was more than an event; it was a turning point. A call to return to the essentials. A call to authenticity. A call to holiness.<\/p>\n Above all, it was a call to every priest: To depend not on self, but entirely on God. To live not for self, but completely for others. \u201cDepend fully. Serve freely.\u201d<\/p>\n This is the path. This is the renewal. This is the priesthood rediscovered.<\/p>\n CUEA Gaba Campus is home to AMECEA Pastoral Institute (API), a leading centre for ongoing formation. The Institute continues to offer transformative programmes in catechetical formation, pastoral ministry, and sabbatical renewal for priests, religious, catechists, and lay faithful seeking spiritual growth and renewal.<\/p>\n For inquiries and applications, contact Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chimombo at apigaba@cuea.edu or +254 790 555245. Intake for the next academic year, beginning from September 2026, is ongoing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chimombo In a rapidly changing world marked by shifting values, pastoral pressures,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":24535,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24533","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-amecea-news","category-cuea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/communications.amecea.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24533","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/communications.amecea.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/communications.amecea.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/communications.amecea.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/communications.amecea.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24533"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/communications.amecea.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24533\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24536,"href":"https:\/\/communications.amecea.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24533\/revisions\/24536"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/communications.amecea.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24535"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/communications.amecea.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24533"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/communications.amecea.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24533"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/communications.amecea.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24533"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}