Kenya’s Cardinal Lauded as “loving Father” at Eucharistic Celebration in His Honor

The Kenyan Cleric continued, “You worked tirelessly for us to have a dependable medical cover and a reliable pension scheme. You facilitated further studies for many among us. You heartily appreciated the work of all in the Parishes.”

“We will always be amazed by your generous acts of building us a home,” Fr. Kamama said, making reference to the Clergy House, whose construction the retired Archbishop spearheaded.

He added in reference to the Cardinal-priest who also serves as member of Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication as well as the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (Propaganda Fide), “Your wisdom, generosity, kindness has stood the test of time. Thank you, our loving Father John Cardinal Njue. God bless you.”

At the March 13 event held at St. Mary’s Msongari grounds in Nairobi, members of religious orders and societies of apostolic life serving in the Archdiocese lauded Cardinal Njue as a “father to us,” always ready to help. 

“You have been a father to us. You were always available to help us and your tireless efforts to reach us made us proud,” women and men Religious in Nairobi said in a statement read on their behalf by the Chairperson of the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya (AOSK), Nairobi District, Sr. Anne Katani. 

They thanked the Cardinal for “facilitating the acquisition of permits for Religious expatriates within the Archdiocese of Nairobi during their period of stay or formation programs.” 

The women and men Religious further expressed their gratitude to the retired Archbishop for allowing Priests drawn from various Religious Orders and Societies of Apostolic Life to run some Parishes of the Archdiocese.

The Cardinal’s organization of forums and seminars for all Major Superiors serving in the Archdiocese was also acknowledged as an initiative that enhanced mutual collaboration among the Diocesan and Religious women and men in ADN.

“Your good service to the Religious will never be forgotten,” Sr. Katani, a member of the Benedictines of Compassion said on behalf of women and men Religious in Nairobi, adding in reference to Cardinal Njue, “You still remain a father to us.” 

Addressing himself to the Cardinal during the March 13 celebration, the Apostolic Administrator of ADN, Bishop Kamau said the retired Archbishop “can sleep comfortably as you have done what you were supposed to do as our shepherd.”

“We as Priests and the Laity recognize your work and we see what you have done for this Archdiocese,” Bishop Kamau said, thanking members of the Clergy, Religious, and Laity in ADN for collaborating with the Cardinal in the ministry of Christ and urging them to “keep on with the (collaborative) spirit.”

Meanwhile, looking back at the Cardinal’s 13-year period at the helm of the Kenyan Archdiocese, the Pastoral Coordinator of Nairobi Archdiocese, Fr. Wallace Ng’ang’a told the retired Archbishop, “During your reign you properly structured the Archdiocesan Curia.”

(Story continues below)

“We will never forget the way you have put proper structures in that through these departments, Christians can now know where to go for any need in the Church,” Fr. Ng’ang’a told Cardinal Njue during the March 13 event.

The member of the Clergy of ADN added, “Your pastoral contribution is visible in every group, every Parish and all our institutions.”

“I can proudly say that because of your guidance, Christians are receiving proper care from the Archdiocesan Secretariat,” Fr. Ng’ang’a went on to say.

Representing the Laity of ADN, the Moderator of the Archdiocese’s Eastern Deanery, Samuel Kariuki, said that Cardinal Njue has been “a humble father figure who was close to interact with.” 

“Through your encouragement and piece of advice, you have empowered the Lay faithful. Through your shepherding you encouraged us to differentiate between Church leadership and politics thus making our Archdiocese united,” Mr. Kariuki said. 

He added, “You made sure all elected leaders received proper formation to know our roles hence providing good collaboration between the Clergy and the Pastoral Council.” 

“Your humor and charisma enabled us to feel engaged in your homily whenever you visited our Parishes,” Mr. Kariuki said, and added, “We will always treasure you. We wish you good health and long life in your retirement and we promise to keep inviting you to our Parishes to continue empowering us.”

Born in 1944 in Kenya’s Embu Diocese, Cardinal Njue is the second Cardinal in the history of Kenya after the Servant of God, Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga.

After serving in his native Diocese of Embu as Bishop for 16 years, he was transferred to Kenya’s Archdiocese of Nyeri as Coadjutor Archbishop in March 2002. He was appointed the Archbishop of Nairobi in October 2007 to succeed the late Archbishop Raphael Ndingi Mawana a’Nzeki.