Addressing himself to women and men Religious serving in the Kenyan Diocese that is part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Mombasa, Bishop Muthaka said, “I come to you as your father to walk alongside you and to support you in your work in collaboration with our Priests and the people of God.”
“Be assured of my unwavering support in the good work you are doing in the Diocese,” he told members of the Clergy, women and men Religious in Garissa Diocese.
Expressing his awareness of the fact that Garissa Diocese is the largest Diocese in Kenya and that it has a high Muslim population, Bishop Muthaka called on the people of God in his Episcopal See to continue fostering peaceful coexistence.
He said, “Our Diocese is unlike other Dioceses in many ways. Our Diocese is the largest geographically and yet we are the least in numbers. We live among a majority population of our Muslim brothers and sisters. Despite all these we belong to the universal church.”
The Kenyan Catholic Bishop who, before he was appointed Bishop, was serving as Vicar General, Diocesan Financial Administrator, Director of Caritas, and President of the Diocesan Commission for the Protection of Minors in Garissa Diocese added, “We have learned to coexist with our Muslim brothers and sisters. Let us continue to coexist and to live peacefully with our brothers and sisters. Let us continue to witness Christ who has called us to live in this place.”
Addressing himself to the Laity of Garissa Diocese, Bishop Muthaka said, “Let us continue to collaborate with our Priests, our Religious men and women for the sake of our spiritual growth, (and) the Diocese.”
“Be assured of my unwavering support, my availability and accessibility in the spirit of synodality; let us walk together listening to one another and supporting each other from the youngest to the oldest,” the third Bishop of Garissa said, making reference to the ongoing preparations for the Synod on Synodality.
Speaking during the May 7 event, Bishop Alessandro promised to “encourage and support” his successor in his Episcopal Ministry in the Kenyan Diocese.
“We promise to sustain you, encourage and support you in your role as Bishop by the prayerful and practical support of all of us,” Bishop Alessandro told his 47-year-old confrere.
The Maltese-born Bishop added, “Remember God has chosen you as a true witness of Christ the good shepherd; may he endow you with wisdom and even deepening holiness as you guide the flock entrusted to your loving care.”
