“We must be role models”: Catholic Bishop in Kenya to Catechists, Emphasizes Vocation

Nairobi, 12 September, 2025 / 5:17 PM

Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe has challenged Catechists to recognize the significance of their vocation as teachers of faith and servants of God, who are entrusted with a mission that requires that they are role models. 

In his homily at the annual thanksgiving Mass for Catechists ministering in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Nairobi, Bishop Kamomoe emphasized that as witnesses of Christ, Catechists are called not only to teach but also to lead by the example of their lives.

“We must be role models, lay the foundation of faith, and bring change in people’s lives. Our teaching must flow from our own lived experience,” the Auxiliary Bishop of Kenya’s Catholic Diocese of Wote said in his homily during the Friday, September 12 thanksgiving event at St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral of Ngong Catholic Diocese.

He added, “We have been called by God to be His servants, not only to teach but also to bring sanctification and to guide His people. Our mission is to transform lives, to bring about conversion in people’s lives.” 

The Kenyan Catholic Church leader, who began his Episcopal ministry in the ADN in April 2024 before his appointment by Pope Leo XIV to the Diocese of Wote on July 5, emphasized that one cannot share what they do not have, adding that catechists should first embrace the Sacrament of Confession before teaching others about it.

“If we are teaching people about the Sacrament of Matrimony, then we ourselves must solemnize our marriages. Because without the Sacrament of Matrimony, you cannot receive the Holy Eucharist. Without it, you cannot even receive the Sacrament of Confession. You are missing a lot,” he said, and added, “We must begin with ourselves and teach the things we believe.”

He continued, “If we are not properly married, then those we teach will simply follow the same path. Because, you know, we tell them to marry properly while we ourselves are not married. Why do you see their need but fail to see your own?”

“This work that Almighty God has given us is very important,” Bishop Kamomoe reminded the Catechists from the ADN and its Suffragan Dioceses of Kericho, Kitui, Machakos, Wote, Ngong and Nakuru.

He urged them to avoid carrying out their mission superficially, stressing the need to ensure that their work makes a real impact. “But it is also necessary that we begin teaching with our own lives. You cannot convince others unless they see you leading by example.”

The 62-year-old Catholic Church leader urged them to lay emphasis on the importance of the sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Confession.

“I see some catechists going to Mass every day. That is very important, because the Eucharist and Confession are the two most powerful sacraments. That should be our emphasis, to ourselves and to our people,” he said. 

He added, “I do not know if you really know the importance of the Mass. It is so powerful. It brings great transformation. Do you know the power of the Eucharist? Do you know the power of the Holy Mass? That is what you should inspire, the power of the Eucharist.”

Bishop Kamomoe to ensure that the people of God they serve understand the importance of attending Mass noting that “sometimes even on Sundays some people are on and off. Those are the Christians we call ‘fair-weather Christians’.”

He said, “These are the things we are supposed to instill in everyone, children and all people learning the faith. Let us emphasize very much the Sacrament of the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Confession. Because in the Eucharist and in Confession lies so much power.”

“So let us pray earnestly. Let us pray hard. It is not an easy task. But by the grace of God, we can do everything. With the grace of God, you will be able to do all these things,” said Bishop Kamomoe in his September 12 homily.