“Satan is never far from God’s servants”: Catholic Bishop in Kenya Urges Caution among Clergy at Priestly Ordination

“Pope Francis reminded us that shepherds must smell like their sheep. Be wary of the sheep that smell of perfume, and who can make you fall,” the Bishop of Nakuru said at the Priestly Ordination of Deacon Hillary Khayumbi, Deacon Felix Munyao, and Deacon Samuel Mambo Mwaura that was held at St. Francis of Assisi Kiti Catholic Parish.

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Bishop Oseso urged the three Spiritan Priests-elect to stay focused on their calling, and reminded them of the challenging nature of their call.

“There are many things troubling us these days, key among them drunkenness. You start being drunk and you are finished. We must be careful that whatever we engage in does not drive us from the call that Christ has entrusted us with,” he said.

The Kenyan Catholic Bishop reminded the three Spiritan Priests-elect that they were entering Priesthood at “a very challenging time”, where he said witness is required.

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Urging the three to be top quality ministers, Bishop Oseso said, “It isn’t just about the number you are adding to the Congregation, but about the quality you are bringing. When preaching, are you calling people to repentance? Are you touching their hearts? Are you bringing them closer to Christ? These are the challenges we have today.”

The biggest challenge for the three, and others new in the Priestly ministry, he said, would be to bring young people back to the Church.

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“A lot of our young people no longer no longer want to be in Church,” he noted, and expressed optimism that new Priests trained to face the challenges of the modern world would be able to get to young people in the Church and make them feel included.

“Be that person that will represent Christ our world today and make the message of Jesus Christ alive. Let us bring the youth closer to Christ,” the Kenyan Catholic Bishop, who has been at the helm of Nakuru Diocese since his Episcopal Consecration in May 2023 said.

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Addressing the three Spiritans he was about to ordain Priests, he added, “We are losing our younger people. We are losing the younger generation. Let us be close to them and so bring them closer to Christ. That could be the biggest challenge for you as you enter the Priesthood.”

Bishop Oseso reminded the three Spiritan Priests-elect to “go out into the world and bear fruits”, and to be a sign of God’s love.

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“A Priest is not ordained for his own sake, but for the people. You’ve been picked from among the people, and you will be sent to the people,” he said, and reiterated, “A priest’s responsibility is to draw people to God.”

“The late Pope Francis always encouraged us to look to the peripheries and to serve. To assure the martialled that they too are welcome,” the Bishop said, referring to the late Pontiff, who passed on April 21 and was laid to rest on April 26 in his “beloved” Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major as he had explained in his testament.

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Urging the three to embrace servant leadership, Bishop Oseso reminded them that the late Pontiff will always be remembered for his humility. “Many paid tribute to the late Pope Francis because of his humility. He wasn’t proud. He humbled himself when serving Christ’s flock. You are called, just as Pope Francis, to be humble servants wherever you will be sent.”

“You haven’t been called to be masters; you have been called to be servants. Christ wants you to be humble ministers,” he said.

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The three Priests-elect were also reminded to be always available to the people of God under their pastoral care. “You should be found in confessionals by those seeking to reconcile themselves with God. You must be available to celebrate Holy Mass. This is why you are being ordained”

“Christ wants you to be available to His people because you are the minister. You must be close to them. Be available to their needs,” Bishop Oseso told the three Kenyan Spiritan Priests-elect.

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Fr. Samuel Mambo Mwaura has been commissioned to the Spiritan Province of Zambia while Fr. Felix Munyao will join the Spiritans in the Horn of Africa nation of Ethiopia. Meanwhile, Fr. Hillary Khayumbi will begin his Priestly ministry in the Spiritan Province of Kenya and South Sudan.