Embrace Partnerships, Foster Quality, Kenyan Catholic Bishop to Leadership of Consolata International University

Nairobi, 29 August, 2025 / 9:33 PM

Bishop Hieronymus Emusugut Joya of Kenya’s Catholic Diocese of Maralal has called upon the leadership of the Kenya-based Consolata International University (CIU) to invest in partnerships, foster quality and have a unique identity if the institution of higher learning has to stand out.

In his homily during the CIU Inaugural Mass and Investiture on Friday, August 29, Bishop Joya attributed the university’s milestones, including that of receiving temporary accreditation in a Letter of Interim Authority (LIA) this August, to the work of the Holy Spirit and challenged the management to develop programs that contribute to the formation of agents of evangelization.

“This university, dear brothers and sisters, must have its own identity and quality, and must rely on partnerships with people of goodwill that will make it stand apart from all other universities,” he said at the event held at CIU in Kenya’s Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi (ADN).

On identity, the member of the Institute of the Consolata Missionaries (IMC) said, “Without a clear identity, you risk becoming just like any other university.”

“What could be your unique identity is the formation of agents of evangelization – Clergy, Religious men and women, and lay leaders. That is the gap you need to fill,” the Local Ordinary of Maralal Diocese since his Episcopal Consecration in October 2022.

He said that the university, which is Kenya’s 82nd accredited institution of higher learning should also invest in quality education.

“The quality of a Priest, Sister, or layperson trained here must be visibly different from those trained in other universities. Dear brothers and sisters, in a Parish where there is a good Priest, the Christians are happy,” Bishop Joya said.

He went on to explain, “Where there is a ‘funny’ Priest, there are many problems. I hope none of you will be ‘funny Priests’ or missionaries, because Christians are yearning for quality ministers. I believe you are being prepared to be that quality.”

On partnerships, Bishop Joya called upon CIU’s management to look out for people of goodwill and strive “to work with those doing the right things that truly help humanity.”

“You need to reach out, be available, and partner with them,” Bishop Joya said, and urged the management to also factor in the aspect of expansion, especially to areas where IMC members have land in the East African nation.

He emphasized, “Chancellor, dear University Council, use these assets, and this institution will grow very quickly.”

In his August 29 homily, Bishop Joya said that the CIU should be a witness to Jesus’ commandment of love as captured in the Gospel of St. Matthew. This kind of love, he said, can only be made possible through the power of the Holy Spirit.

“This same Holy Spirit, dear brothers and sisters, is active in our daily lives. Christ, before His Ascension, assured us that He would not leave us as orphans, but that He and the Father would send us the Helper who would sustain us and guide us daily,” he said.

The Kenyan IMC Bishop continued, “The power of the Holy Spirit in Christian life brings spiritual transformation, empowers us to offer quality service, and provides guidance, comfort, inspiration, and assurance for the good of humanity and the salvation of God’s people.”

“The Holy Spirit has enabled this institution to stand and grow since its inception, with the specific mission of training agents of evangelization,” Bishop Joya said.

Trained agents, he said, “will go out to transform societies, help people love God and one another, and work for the glory of God, the sanctification of the faithful, and the salvation of humanity, regardless of cultural background, race, or nationality.”

“Let us therefore allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and transform our lives, so that in whatever we do in this institution, it will be for the salvation of humanity,” Bishop Joya said, and continued, “Let us allow Him to teach and remind us that without Him we can do nothing.”

He implored, “May the Holy Spirit comfort and strengthen you in this institution, and give you the effort and inspiration needed to make it a fully-fledged university with a charter, as soon as possible.”

“Let us pray for the University Council, that God may guide them to act out of love for His people and for you who are here,” he said, further called for spiritual solidarity with lecturers, that God “may sustain them in good health of mind and body, so that they may teach and form you into better agents of salvation and evangelization.”