The Church in Kenya

The Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops appointed Father Raphael Mkuzi as the new Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Catholic University of Malawi. Vice Chancellor Professor Francis Moto communicated the decision to staff and students in a circular, noting the appointment took effect on September 3, 2026.

Father Mkuzi previously served as the parish priest of St. Louis in Monkey Bay and as the dean of the Nankhwali Deanery in the Diocese of Mangochi. He holds a PhD in Economic Justice from the Graduate Theological Union at the University of California, Berkeley, and a master's degree in theology and religious studies from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium.

In his new position, Father Mkuzi joins the university's senior leadership team. The Catholic University of Malawi was established by the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops and is accredited by the National Council for Higher Education to offer degree, diploma, and certificate programs.

Hekima University College is urging Kenyan citizens to invest in peace before the 2027 general elections to avoid the high costs of reacting to conflict only after tensions rise. During a public lecture held on September 9, 2026, at the Hekima Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations in Nairobi, the university principal, Fr. Marcel Uwineza, told students and government officials that peace requires deliberate, long-term planning rather than serving as an emergency response to political heat.

Fr. Uwineza warned that waiting until neighbors become suspicious or social media becomes a battleground allows damage to occur before society can respond. He noted that words can prepare the ground for violence long before physical harm happens, though they can also be used to heal divisions. The lecture, titled "Investing in Peace Ahead of, During and After Kenya's 2027 General Elections," was organized alongside the Hekima University College Alumni Association.

Bishop Edwin Mulandu opened a three day workshop for priests from the Diocese of Mpika to study marriage legislation according to the Code of Canon Law. The training, held at the Institute of Christian Leadership, aims to help priests better support couples and families by strengthening their understanding of Church law.

During his opening address, Bishop Mulandu told the priests that marriage laws serve as tools to protect the dignity and sanctity of Christian marriage rather than just being a set of rules. He encouraged the participants to combine legal knowledge with pastoral charity and to use the sessions to discuss practical parish challenges. These topics include marriage preparation, matrimonial consent, impediments, canonical form, mixed marriages, and cases regarding marriage validity and nullity.

The workshop is facilitated by Rev. Fr. Chrispin Mwila, a canon lawyer from the Mansa Diocese. Bishop Mulandu noted that formation is a continuous process that continues after ordination to help priests serve the people of God with more confidence and sensitivity.

Archbishop Menghisteab Tesfamariam celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Holy Savior Parish in Gejeret, Asmara, marking 50 years since the parish began offering Holy Mass and pastoral services in the Ge'ez Rite.

During the celebration, the Archbishop reflected on the Gospel of Matthew regarding John the Baptist. He encouraged the congregation to view the milestone as a time for gratitude and reflection. He connected the jubilee to his recent Ge'ez New Year message about using time wisely, stating that Christians should use their time for the good of themselves and their neighbors according to God's will. He urged the faithful to evaluate their past and make new commitments to improve their weaknesses.

Archbishop Benjamin Phiri has called on Christians to care for the marginalized, the sick, and the vulnerable to honor the legacy of the late Bishop Denis De Jong. The appeal came as the Archdiocese of Ndola marked the 23rd anniversary of the death of its third bishop.

In a message released through Radio Icengelo, Archbishop Phiri described Bishop De Jong as a man characterized by humility, generosity, and peace. He encouraged the faithful to practice these values by respecting the rights of others and treating everyone with dignity. The Archbishop also urged believers to promote peace and deepen their faith through active service.

Parishioners at St. Antonio Fassani Parish in the Ndola Deanery expressed their appreciation for Bishop De Jong, noting his commitment to fighting injustice and acting as a voice for the underprivileged. Archbishop Phiri concluded his message by praying for the repose of the late bishop's soul.

The Sisters of Mercy have opened the Sisters of Mercy Hub (SOM Hub) in Mansa, a modern commercial facility designed to generate income for the congregation and provide local access to specialized services. Superior General Sr. Delphine Kalisha stated the hub aims to reduce the travel time and expenses families previously faced when seeking healthcare, eye care, and commercial services in major urban centers.

The facility will host commercial partners such as Vision Care, Mobile City, and Dynalab to provide healthcare and eye care services to Mansa residents. Revenue from the hub will fund the congregation's charitable works and create jobs for local people. Sr. Kalisha also noted that the hub will support women entrepreneurs by offering business space and growth opportunities.

During the launch, Sr. Kalisha thanked the Bishop of Mansa, Patrick Chisanga, along with neighbors, supporters, and the contractor, for helping overcome financial and operational challenges during construction. She encouraged businesses operating within the hub to practice honesty, kindness, and social responsibility.

Fr. Elias Omondi Opongo has introduced a six-pillar framework to guide the future operations of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). The priest, who recently began his term as vice chancellor, told AMECEA Online on September 15 that the pillars are intended to serve as a shared foundation for the entire university community.

The first pillar, which focuses on collegiality and shared purpose, emphasizes consultation across all levels of the institution, from students and staff to deans and security personnel. Fr. Opongo described this goal as a union of minds and hearts where decisions align with the university's strategic plan.

To support this communication goal, the university will launch a weekly bulletin called Zikomo. Fr. Opongo explained that the name, which means thank you in Chichewa and Chinyanja, was chosen to foster a sense of gratitude and to strengthen the university's identity within the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA).

Bishop Henry Juma Odonya presided over a Mass for the reception of over 400 women from the West Pokot pastoral area into the Catholic Women Association (CWA). During the event, the bishop encouraged the women to be examples within their families, remain steadfast in faith, and emulate Saint Monica and the Virgin Mary.

The bishop also launched a book titled “MTUMISHI WA NENO” authored by Fr. Dr. Anthony Situma. The book provides guidance for community leaders and those who proclaim the word.

The Catholic Diocese of Kitale hosted a Cross-Border Peace Mass on September 11, 2026, at Amakuriat Parish to strengthen relations between communities along the Uganda-Kenya border. The event brought together people from Amakuriat Alale in West Pokot County, Moroto in Uganda, and Lorenkipi in Turkana. Participants began with a peace procession involving the Pokot, Karamoja, and Turkana communities, where they sang songs and shared messages about coexistence and forgiveness.

Bishop Henry Juma Odonya of the Catholic Diocese of Kitale presided over the Mass and encouraged community members to prioritize peace and trust in the Word of God. He urged the faithful to welcome others without ethnic discrimination and noted that education helps societies value peace and use dialogue instead of conflict to solve challenges.

During the service, Bishop John Mbinda of the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar told the community to avoid hatred and revenge, emphasizing friendship and cooperation to address local challenges. Government officials, including local chiefs and leaders from the Commission for Justice and Peace led by Edward Shibanda, also called on citizens to maintain peace ahead of next year.

Archbishop Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa'ichi warned newly ordained Auxiliary Bishop Vincent Mpwaji to remain vigilant against people he described as wolves who could destroy the Church. During the episcopal ordination Mass held on September 5 at the Msimbazi Centre grounds in Dar es Salaam, the Archbishop told the faithful that some individuals do not listen to the voice of God and can cause harm if the Church is not careful.

Archbishop Ruwa'ichi urged the community to support Bishop Mpwaji with prayers as he begins his new ministry and to help him walk a path of holiness and integrity. Comparing the role to the Good Shepherd, the Archbishop said a true leader seeks the safety and salvation of the flock rather than personal interests. He warned against false shepherds and hired hands who abandon their sheep during times of danger.

The Archbishop noted that the pastoral vocation is a calling from God, using the Prophet Jeremiah to illustrate that such roles are not chosen by the individual but are granted by divine grace to fulfill a specific mission.

Archbishop Angelo Accattino urged the people of Tanzania to maintain the country's peace and unity during a farewell message at the episcopal ordination of Vincent Mpwaji, the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam.

Speaking at the Msimbazi Grounds in Dar es Salaam, Accattino reflected on his three and a half years serving in Tanzania. He noted that the country has remained stable despite its religious and ethnic diversity and highlighted the ongoing cooperation between the government and the Catholic Church. He promised that he and the Holy See would continue to pray for the nation.

Accattino is leaving his post as Apostolic Nuncio to Tanzania to begin a new assignment as Nuncio to Colombia. He departed the country on the evening of September 5.

Bishop George Cosmas Zumaire Lungu of Chipata Diocese has called for prayer, dialogue, justice, and reconciliation to address growing political uncertainty in Zambia. In a pastoral statement issued September 15, 2026, the bishop said recent events have caused concern among citizens and emphasized the need to protect human dignity, the rule of law, and the rights of every citizen.

Bishop Lungu specifically noted that the closure of court premises on August 24, 2026, occurred on the final day for filing constitutional challenges to the presidential election results. He stated this development raised concerns regarding access to justice and the protection of constitutional rights. While noting the Catholic Church does not take sides in political contests, the bishop said the Church cannot remain silent when peace and the rule of law are threatened.

The bishop proposed a private, respectful dialogue with the president and government representatives to discuss political tolerance, the treatment of opposition figures, and the rule of law. He also invited Church and traditional leaders, academics, professionals, young people, and civil society members to a preparatory meeting to discuss how they can support peace and reconciliation. Bishop Lungu urged Zambians to move past political divisions and embrace forgiveness.