“Be countercultural”: Catholic Bishop in Kenya Urges Spiritans, Redemptorists to Emulate their Founders at Ordination

Bishop George Muthaka urged newly ordained deacons from the Congregation of the Holy Spirit and the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer to live countercultural lives during an ordination ceremony on September 18. The event took place at St. John the Evangelist Holy Ghost Parish in the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi.

During his homily, Bishop Muthaka told the Spiritans and Redemptorists to remain faithful to the Gospel and follow the examples of their founders, Venerable Claude-François Poullart des Places and St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori. He instructed the deacons to preach the Word of God with truth and love, even when their message contradicts current trends.

The bishop advised the Redemptorists to emulate St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori by choosing simplicity and service over prestige and comfort. He noted that the saint left a successful legal career to preach to shepherds and interact with vulnerable members of society.