Our Lady of Perpertual Help Ahero Parish

21/07/2026

20/07/2026

Amecea @ 65

20/07/2026

The 21st AMECEA Plenary session commenced on Sunday, July 19, with a Holy Mass attended by thousands of young people and other faithful at the University’s AMECEA grounds. The Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Michael Czerny Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and Vatican's representative to the Plenary. It was concelebrated by a all the AMECEA delegate Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops.



The Plenary sessions kick off on Monday, July 20th at the University Auditorium. The theme of this year's plenary is AMECEA's Synodal Journey with Young People: Building Bridges of Communion, Hope, Justice and Good Governance.

17/07/2026

The Consolata Missionary family is mourning the passing of Rev. Fr. Chrispine Okello, IMC, whose death was announced by the Regional Superior, Kenya Uganda region, of the Consolata Missionaries on 16 July 2026.

Fr. Okello died while serving as Parish Priest of Kapeeka Parish in Uganda, an appointment he had taken up in February 2026. Though his ministry there was brief, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to the pastoral care of God's people, faithfully carrying out the missionary vocation entrusted to him by the Church and the Consolata Missionaries.

His sudden passing has brought profound sorrow to the Consolata Missionaries worldwide, his family, the Christian community of Kapeeka Parish, friends, and all who knew him. His life of priestly service stands as a witness to missionary commitment, pastoral charity, and faithful dedication to the proclamation of the Gospel.

May the Lord grant Rev. Fr. Chrispine Okello, IMC, eternal rest, and bring comfort and hope to all who mourn his passing.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in eternal peace. Amen.

14/07/2026

KENYA: Archbishop Anthony Muheria Leads Preparations for the 21st AMECEA Plenary Assembly

The Archbishop of Nyeri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Anthony Muheria, who serves as Chairman of the Planning Committee, has played a key role in coordinating preparations for the 21st AMECEA Plenary Assembly in Nairobi.

As the Church in Eastern Africa prepares for this important gathering, Archbishop Muheria's leadership reflects the spirit of collaboration and commitment to ensuring a successful assembly focused on synodality, youth, communion, hope, justice, and good governance.

14/07/2026

Kenya will host the 21st AMECEA Plenary Assembly.
The assembly will take place in Nairobi from 19th to 26th July 2026.
Almost all Catholic Bishops from the following countries will be in attendance - Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eriteria, Malawi and Zambia. Somalia and Djibouti are associate members.

The theme of the plenary is: AMECEA's Synodal Journey with Young People: Building Bridges of Communion, Hope, Justice, and Good Governance.

The young people (18 - 35 Years) especially those in YSC and YCA are highly encouraged to attend the opening Mass on Sunday 19th July 2026 at CUEA - Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

AMECEA stands for Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa.

13/07/2026

WE HAVE A NEW PARISH:

DECREE ERECTING THE TERRITORIAL PARISH OF SS. JOACHIM AND ANNE, NYALWENY:

Whereas the current allocation of the Catholic faithful in Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Ukwala, is such that it is now deemed necessary to form a new territorial parish within the Archdiocese of Kisumu: having sought and heard the counsel of the Presbyteral Council, and in accordance with the norms of Canon 515, §1- 3 and by testimony of this document; I hereby erect the territorial parish of

Ss.Joachim and Anne, Nyalweny, in Rang'ala Deanery, and appoint Rev. Fr. Silvanus Ochieng' Owino, as its Parish Priest. The territorial boundaries for the Parish of Ss. Joachim and Anne, Nyalweny, shall encompass the following sub- parishes previously under Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Ukwala: Ss. Joachim and Anne, Nyalweny, St. Patrick, Sifuyo, St. Isidore, Gendro, St. Thomas the Apostle,
Kasideg, and St. Margaret, Hafumbre in their entirety.

I direct that this decree be given to Rev. Fr. Peter Omuony, who is also the Parish Priest of the current Our Lady of Fatima, Ukwala and also that this information be communicated at all Masses of obligation on Sunday 12th July 2026 and Sunday 19th July 2026. I further direct that this decree be published on the website of the Archdiocese of Kisumu and on all the official social forums, which
will be presumed the official notification of this action.

The er****on of Ss. Joachim and Anne Parish, Nyalweny, as a territorial parish is to become effective on 20th July 2026, nothing to the contrary withstanding.

01/07/2026

FOR UPDATES:
As we wait for the upcoming AMECEA plenary assembly to take place in Nairobi from 17th to 26th July it's good to know that the Chairman of the Association is Bishop Charles Sampa Kasonde who is the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Solwezi in Zambia.

It's also good to know that Archbishop Antony Muheria of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri is the vice chairman of the Association of member of Episcopal Conferences in east Africa (AMECEA).

This year's plenary Assembly is expected to be attended by around 140 Catholic Bishops alongside delegates, youth, and clergy from nine member countries (Kenya, Tanzania,Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea)

The theme of this year's plenary assembly is AMECEA's synodal journey with young people: building Bridges of communion, hope, justice and good governance.

The Assembly will take place at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) in Nairobi.

25/06/2026

Types of Bishops in the Catholic Church with Kenyan Examples

In the Catholic Church, all Bishops share the same sacramental dignity; they are successors to the Apostles and possess the fullness of Holy Orders.

However, the Church has developed various ranks and roles to suit different pastoral needs, administrative requirements, and historical circumstances.

Understanding these distinctions helps us appreciate the hierarchical structure that governs the Church and serves the faithful.

Below is a comprehensive overview of the types of Bishops in the Catholic Church, illustrated with examples from Kenya's vibrant Catholic community.

1. The Pope (Bishop of Rome)

The Pope is the successor of Saint Peter and holds universal authority over the entire Catholic Church.
As Bishop of Rome, he is the visible head of the Church and has supreme, full, immediate, and universal ordinary power. Every bishop in the world, including all those in Kenya, is appointed by the Pope.

Kenyan Connection:

While no Kenyan has served as Pope, all Kenyan Bishops are directly appointed by the Holy See, and they maintain regular communication with the Pope through ad limina visits.

2. Cardinal

Cardinals are senior Church leaders appointed by the Pope to serve in the College of Cardinals.

Their primary responsibilities include electing a new pope when the see of Rome becomes vacant and serving as papal advisors.
Cardinals are usually (though not always) Bishops and often hold significant Archdioceses or Vatican positions.

Kenyan Examples:

· Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga.
The first native Kenyan Cardinal (1923–2003).
He served as Archbishop of Nairobi from 1971 to 1997 and was elevated to the College of Cardinals in 1973 by Pope Paul VI.

· Cardinal John Njue.
Born in 1944, he served as Archbishop of Nairobi from 2007 until his retirement in 2021.
He was created a Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007.

3. Archbishop.

An Archbishop is a Bishop who leads an Archdiocese, typically a larger, more historic, or more important Diocese.

Some Archbishops also serve as metropolitans, exercising limited supervisory authority over the other Dioceses (suffragans) within their ecclesiastical province.

Kenya currently has 4 archdioceses:
Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nyeri.

The current Archbishops are:

· Archbishop Philip Arnold Subira Anyolo
Metropolitan Archbishop of Nairobi, the country's primatial see, appointed in 2021. He previously served as Archbishop of Kisumu.

· Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba
Archbishop of Kisumu, who also serves as the Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB).

· Archbishop Anthony Muheria
Archbishop of Nyeri, who serves as the Vice Chairman of the KCCB.

· Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde
Archbishop of Mombasa. He will be succeeded by Coadjutor Archbishop Dominic Kimengich upon his retirement.

4. Diocesan Bishop (Ordinary)

The Diocesan Bishop, often simply called the "Ordinary" is the primary Bishop in charge of a particular Diocese.

He holds full ordinary authority over his territory and is responsible for teaching, governing, and sanctifying the faithful entrusted to his care.
He is the principal Teacher, Priest, and Pastor of his Diocese.

Kenyan Example:

· Bishop Mark Kadima Wamukoya.
The Bishop of the Diocese of Bungoma. He was appointed by Pope Francis on December 14, 2021, and was Consecrated as Bishop in February 2022.
He was born on April 30, 1964, and Ordained a Priest on October 2, 1993.
The Diocese of Bungoma is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Kisumu.

Kenya has 23 Dioceses, each with its own Diocesan Bishop.

5. Auxiliary Bishop

An Auxiliary Bishop is a full-time assistant to a Diocesan Bishop, typically appointed when a Diocese is large in area, population, or administrative complexity.

Auxiliaries are always assigned a titular see, a historical Diocese that no longer functions as an active jurisdiction.
They assist the Diocesan Bishop in his pastoral duties but do not have the right of succession.

Kenyan Examples:

· Bishop Vincent Ouma Odundo.
Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Kisumu in December 2025, assigned the titular see of Giru Marcelli.

· Bishop Obed Muriungi Karobia
Ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Nairobi in May 2026, assigned the titular see of Thimida.
He is the first Conventual Franciscan friar to become a Bishop in Kenya.

· Bishop David Kamau
Serves as another Auxiliary Bishop of Nairobi.

6. Titular Bishop

A Titular Bishop is a Bishop who holds the title of a see (Diocese) that no longer exists as a functioning jurisdiction, usually ancient Dioceses from North Africa, the Middle East, or Europe that have fallen into ruins or been absorbed by other Dioceses.

Many Auxiliaries, as well as Bishops serving in the Roman Curia or Papal diplomatic roles, are Titular Bishops.

Past and Present Kenyan Examples:

· Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga
Began his Episcopal ministry as Titular Bishop of Tacape when appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Kisumu in 1956.
He later became Titular Archbishop of Bomarzo before being named Archbishop of Nairobi.

· Bishop John Kiplimo Lelei
Served as Titular Bishop of Mons in Numidia (also referred to as Monte di Numidia) while he was Auxiliary Bishop of Eldoret from 27 March 2024 until 10 July 2025, before becoming the first Bishop of Kapsabet.

· Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe
Appointed Titular Bishop of Thubunae in Numidia when he became Auxiliary Bishop of Nairobi in February 2024.
He was later appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Wote in July 2025.

· Bishop David Kamau Ng'ang'a
Has served as Titular Bishop of Oëa since his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Nairobi on December 22, 1999.

· Bishop Vincent Ouma Odundo
Appointed Titular Bishop of Giru Marcelli when he became Auxiliary Bishop of Kisumu in December 2025.
The titular see is also referred to as Giru di Marcello.

· Bishop Obed Muriungi Karobia, O.F.M. Conv.
Appointed Titular Bishop of Thimida when he became Auxiliary Bishop of Nairobi in March 2026.

· Bishop Wallace Ng'ang'a Gachihi
Served as Titular Bishop of Thucca di Mauritania while he was Auxiliary Bishop of Nairobi, from his appointment on February 13, 2024, until his appointment as Military Ordinary of Kenya on August 15, 2024.

7. Coadjutor Bishop

A Coadjutor Bishop is appointed to assist a Diocesan Bishop with the special right of automatic succession.
Unlike an Auxiliary, a Coadjutor is guaranteed by canon law to succeed the Diocesan Bishop upon his death or retirement.
Coadjutors often share in the governance of the Diocese from the moment of their appointment.

Kenyan Examples:

· Archbishop Dominic Kimengich
Appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Mombasa by Pope Leo XIV on January 28, 2026.
He will succeed Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde, who reaches the retirement age of 75 in 2027.

· Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga
Also served as Coadjutor Archbishop of Nairobi before becoming the full Archbishop.

8. Military Ordinary (Bishop of the Military Ordinariate)

The Military Ordinary is a Bishop who oversees the spiritual care of the armed forces.
Unlike traditional Dioceses, a Military Ordinariate is not confined to a specific geographical territory, it serves wherever the nation's military personnel are stationed, including bases, ships, and overseas deployments.

Kenyan Example:

· Rt. Rev. Wallace Ng'ang'a Gachihi Appointed by Pope Francis on August 15, 2024, and installed on October 12, 2024.
He is the third Bishop of the Military Ordinariate of Kenya, succeeding Bishop Alfred Kipkoech Arap Rotich (who retired in December 2016).
Before this appointment, Bishop Wallace served briefly as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Nairobi.

9. Emeritus Bishop

An Emeritus Bishop is a retired Bishop who holds the honorary title of his last see.
Upon reaching the age of 75 or for other serious reasons, Bishops are required to submit their resignation to the Pope.
Once accepted, they are granted the title "Emeritus" and continue to serve the Church through prayer, counsel, and occasional pastoral assistance.

Kenyan Examples:

· Cardinal John Njue
Serves as Archbishop Emeritus of Nairobi following his retirement in 2021.

· Archbishop Emeritus and Bishop Emeritus titles are held by other retired Kenyan Bishops as well.

The Catholic Church, with its growing number of jurisdictions and vibrant Episcopal leadership, demonstrates how these roles come together to serve the People of God in every corner of the nations.