Don’t Be “fickle in faith”, Catholic Bishop in Kenya Warns, Urges Commitment to Church

He said that actions of those that had been confirmed should demonstrate their Christian faith. “This is how the early Church was known; people recognized them by their deeds,” he added.

Bishop Oseso went on to draw inspiration from the Biblical story of a young man who asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. “Jesus told him, love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your soul. That is how we are called to witness our faith by loving God completely,” he explained.

The Local Ordinary of Nakuru Diocese since his Episcopal Consecration in May 2023 encouraged those he Confirmed to know their faith deeply, to learn the Church’s teachings, and to be ready to defend it.

“Let us not receive Confirmation without knowing our faith, without knowing even the basic prayers of the Church. Let us be people who know our faith, study it, and are ready to defend it,” Bishop Oseso said.

He reflected on the canonization of two new Saints, St. Pier Giorgio Frassati and St. Carlo Acutis – the latter who died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15 – and urged the people of God to pursue holiness regardless of age.

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Referring to St. Carlo Acutis, Bishop Oseso said, “Jesus says today that even the smallest seed can grow. That young man, though small and young, was called to holiness. He was declared a Saint because he lived a holy life. He loved the Holy Mass; he loved the Holy Eucharist, and he was a youth of this century; a young man of the digital age. He has been made the patron saint of technology and the Internet,” Bishop Oseso said.

He called on youths to emulate St. Carlo Acutis by using the internet for modern evangelization, especially in today’s technological world.

“St. Carlo Acutis did not use the internet to watch football or waste time on frivolous things. Instead, he used it to research and promote devotion to the Holy Eucharist. He said that the Eucharist is the way to salvation,” Bishop Oseso said.

He went on to encourage the candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation to follow the path of holiness as soon as possible, and explained, in reference to St. Carlo Acutis, “This young man was about the same age as those receiving Confirmation today.”

“Do not say that you will become holy when you turn 40 or 50. Holiness is for now. You are receiving the Holy Spirit today so that He may guide you in the path of truth,” he added.

Bishop Oseso also urged those he was to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on to remain faithful to all the Sacraments — both those they have already received and those they will receive later in life.

“Baptism is not the end,” he said, and added, “We don’t say that Baptism is enough. After Baptism, one continues to receive other Sacraments…each meant to help us to grow and strengthen our faith. The small seed that is planted is given room and nourishment to grow each day in life.”

The Local Ordinary of Nakuru underscored the importance of listening to the Word of God and called upon parents to pray and support their children in strengthening their faith.

“God has given us time and room to grow in our faith. That is why we come to Mass every day to listen to His Word and be nourished by it. The one who listens to God’s voice matures in faith. You cannot grow in faith without listening and understanding what God wants for your life,” he said.

Faith that grows, he went on to say, “is faith that bears fruit in God’s vineyard. It is an active, living faith. Growth in faith is essential, especially for those receiving Confirmation today; they are called to mature in faith.

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The Kenyan Catholic Bishop urged the people of God to allow the Holy Spirit to lead them in truth and sincerity, just as He did to Jesus, who is “the way, the truth, and the life.” 

Sabrine Amboka is a Kenyan journalist with a passion for Catholic church communication. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from St. Paul's University in Kenya.