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Rose Achiego Ande – Nairobi, Kenya.

Prayers for an end to drought, hunger, and insecurity in Kenya dominated the liturgy during the ordination and installation of the new Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Maralal, Hieronymus Joya, which took place at Allamano grounds of the Cathedral.

Pray for Maralal

In his homily, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan, Archbishop Bert Van Megen called on the faithful to pray for Kenyans who are facing starvation due to prolonged drought in the north eastern parts of the country which also includes areas of the Diocese of Maralal.

“Pray for the people of Maralal who are facing the severe consequences of drought. Thousands of people in the north are struggling with their lives, having sleepless nights on how to feed their children and themselves,” he said adding that others were thirsty and sick, yet desperately looking for ways to feed their families.

Catholic faithful in traditional dress at the ordination in Maralal Diocese.

Starvation and death

Archbishop Megen noted with concern that some of these people who are largely pastoralists had lost their animals and sources of livelihood while searching for greener pastures for their flock. He prayed to God to provide rains so as to bring to an end the suffering of the people in the regions where drought had caused the death of people and animals, malnutrition in children, starvation, and diseases.

“The Good Lord should make it rain in the Diocese. A faithful and gracious Lord full of mercy makes it rain over the good and evil. Shower oh heavens from above and let the skies rain down righteousness! Lord Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, give us safety, pour out water on the thirsty land and streams and dry grounds. Oh God give us safety and security that banditry attacks and stealing and murdering may come to an end so we may live in a secure and safe country,” prayed the Nuncio.

Be a servant leader

(l) Archbishop Martin Kivuva with the new Bishop Hieronymus Joya (r)

Archbishop Megen expressed confidence in the newly ordained Bishop Joya, that he is well versed with the challenges of the Catholic Diocese of Maralal given the fact that he had served in the diocese as pastoral coordinator. He hailed him as a realist, urging him to be a servant leader who endures suffering and challenges. 

“You have to go through pain and challenges in order to come to joy and consolation. A good leader should be blameless, not arrogant, not quick-tempered, not violent, not addicted to alcohol, and not greedy for money. The leader in God’s Church needs to be hospitable, filled with goodness, prudent, upright, one who has self-control and is rooted in the word of God,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Mombasa, Martin Kivuva congratulated Bishop Joya for joining KCCB.