At Matrimony Celebration for Over 50 Couples, Catholic Bishop Urges Spouses to Tackle Marital Challenges Together

Nairobi, 27 September, 2025 / 11:20 AM

Bishop Mark Kadima of Kenya’s Bungoma Catholic Diocese has reminded the over 50 couples that celebrated their Matrimony in his Episcopal See that marriage is a sacred calling rooted in love, forgiveness, and faithfulness.

In his Friday, September 26 homily at the celebration that was held at St. Mary’s Kibabii Parish, Bishop Kadima reflected on the teachings of Jesus Christ on perseverance recorded in the Gospel according to St. John, noting that no marriage is perfect, and couples must face challenges together.

“Even the best marriage will be lacking in some things. It will not be perfect, but we will look for solutions together,” he said at the celebration, where he conferred the Sacrament of Matrimony on 55 couples.

The Kenyan Catholic Bishop encouraged families to create homes where challenges are resolved together instead of assigning blame. 

Reflecting on the Reading of the Day, Bishop Kadima described marriage as “a holy Sacrament” designed to unite spouses in enduring love.

“Marriage is a holy Sacrament of God. It should increase love among those who marry like today. What we get from these readings is that we should love one another,” he said. 

The Local Ordinary of Bungoma Diocese since his Episcopal Consecration in February 2022 went on to outline three key virtues drawn from Scripture that strengthen marital love, which he said include forgiveness, perseverance, and faithfulness.

He underscored the importance of forgiveness among spouses, saying, “For marriage to last, we should be people who forgive one another.”

“Among us, we should know that we have done wrong,” the 61-year-old Catholic Church leader said, and added, “Jesus Christ forgives us. The Lord forgives us. God forgives us. Therefore, we should be in a place where someone says, ‘I have done wrong, forgive me.’”

He cautioned the people of God against marrying self-centered individuals, who he said thrive on blaming others without acknowledging their own wrongdoing.

Recalling Adam’s words in Genesis, “this is my bone and my flesh,” Bishop Kadima urged spouses to honor the promises they make before God. “If you see someone who is a liar, who cannot keep a promise, don’t marry him or her,” he emphasized. 

The Local Ordinary of Bungoma congratulated the faithful of St. Mary’s Kibabii Parish on the 55 couples who received the Sacrament of Matrimony, urging them to actively participate in Church activities for her growth.