At Annual Liturgy Convention in Kenya, Catholic Bishop Emphasizes Sacredness, Cautions against “excesses”

Looking into the future of liturgy, the Kenyan Catholic Bishop expressed hope that liturgical celebrations in the East African nation will manifest people’s deep faith in God. He said, “I believe that with time, we will see the Church move toward more acceptable and balanced expressions of worship.”

“In the next five years, I hope we will find expressions of liturgy that are both solemn and deeply meaningful, rooted in true inculturation,” he said, and added, “Liturgy must reflect the society, and society must, in turn, become a worshipping community.”

Bishop Wainaina also reflected on the role of liturgy in the society which he said goes a long way in fostering evangelization. He said, “Liturgy serves as a vital source of evangelization, especially in Kenya, where many people participate in Church celebrations.”

Credit: Sr. Olga Massango

“It is during these gatherings that the Word of God is heard, often weekly. Sometimes liturgy provides an opportunity to do or say something extra, beyond routine worship, that ignites a renewed sense of mission,” said the Local Ordinary of Murang’a Diocese since his Episcopal Consecration in June 2009.

He explained that some of the activities at the end of the Eucharistic celebration are all acts that “awaken the spirit of evangelization. Liturgy, therefore, is a powerful tool for mission.”

The August 4-7 Liturgy Convention taking place at Our Lady Mother of Africa Pastoral Centre of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa in Kenya is among the annual conventions seeking to address some of the liturgical gaps in the East African nation.

In the August 5 interview, the first day of the convention, Bishop Wainaina encouraged Catholics in Kenya to look towards such conventions, which he said not only address liturgical gaps, but also foster unity in Church liturgical celebrations.

“The conventions bring together people from every part of the country, creating harmony in how liturgy is celebrated nationwide. They foster unity of purpose and unity of action,” he said, adding that each year, participants learn and benefits from each other on liturgy.

Credit: Sr. Olga Massango

“The convention provides a platform for people to engage in discussions on liturgy, to share their experiences, and to seek clarity on any doubts they may have regarding liturgical celebrations,” he said.

Participants, Bishop Wainaina went on to say, “also share the positive developments, such as new music and creative expressions, that enrich our worship. We’re constantly developing new, uplifting practices.”

“Participants return to their parishes energized and inspired. When they go back, they are often asked what they learned or studied. This interaction keeps the whole Church enthusiastic, as ideas and practices are shared and implemented at the grassroots level,” he said.

At such conventions, Bishop Wainaina further said, “we exchange ideas, notes, books, and materials used in various regions—tools that influence liturgical life back home.”

In a separate interview with ACI Africa, Kenya's National Executive Secretary for liturgy said deliberations at the Mombasa convention with 69 participants, who include Clergy, women and men Religious and Laity, are to be implemented at the Diocesan level.

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“Our role is to bring everyone together, hold discussions, and then allow the Dioceses to implement what has been agreed upon,” Fr. Bernard Ngaruiya told ACI Africa in the August 5 interview.

Credit: Sr. Olga Massango

Fr. Ngaruiya who also serves as KCCB Deputy Secretary General said that the theme of the convention that aligns with the ongoing Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, was chosen to inspire hope.

“We are looking at its liturgical aspects and how liturgy becomes a pathway for pilgrims who are called to holiness, mending their broken relationship with our Maker through the journey of celebrating the Sacraments, which impart God’s grace to us,” he said.

In another interview, Fr. Chrispine Ouma told ACI Africa he found the August 5 deliberations on the 2025 Jubilee Year “particularly inspiring.”

Liturgy delegates from Across Kenya's Catholic Dioceses during their August 4-7 Annual Liturgy Convention in Mombasa Archdiocese. Credit: Sr. Olga Massango

The discussions among participants, the Clergy of Kenya’s Catholic Diocese of Homa Bay said, served to remind “us that this is a Year of Grace, a divine opportunity to begin anew.”

Fr. Ouma recalled a participant emphasizing “liturgy as a pathway for the pilgrim Church. Given that we are in a Year of Hope and a Year of Pilgrimage, this resonates deeply.”

“Tomorrow, we’ll be looking at the journey to Emmaus as a model of pilgrimage, and also at how liturgy can be used for catechesis,” the Kenyan Catholic Priest told ACI Africa on August 5, adding, “These are very timely and relevant topics.”