Kenyan Catholic Archbishop Urges Seminarians in South Sudanese Diocese to “have a deep spiritual life”

“Deep spirituality,” the Archbishop said, “means expanding your heart to relate with God. Spirituality is not measured by how much you sigh when you say the rosary or how devoutly you kneel to receive Holy Communion—these are outward shows.”

Describing true spirituality as “something internal”, the Archbishop continued, “You must have a solid and deep relationship with God. God must become your friend, not just someone you turn to when you need something. Your life must be centered around your relationship with Jesus, and your devotion should deepen that relationship with Him, with our Mother Mary, and with your patron saints, John Paul II and Saint Josephine Bakhita.”

The Local Ordinary of Nyeri Archdiocese, who also serves as Vice President of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB)  further urged the seminarians to cultivate a meaningful prayer life. He stressed the importance of allowing their spiritual practices, like prayer and reverence for the Eucharist, to guide their daily lives.

Addressing the intellectual demands of the Priesthood, Archbishop Muheria reminded the Seminarians that the Priesthood requires both strength and intelligence. 

He encouraged them to strive for academic excellence, particularly in the fields of Philosophy and Theology, to effectively minister to the people of God. 

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“Priesthood is not for the weak, nor is it for the thick,” he said, and continued, “The Word of God must be broken down and explained in a way that nourishes the people of God.”

“You must grow your intellectual capacity. There is no excuse for poor academic performance; the Church demands excellence from you. Your study time is as sacred as your prayer time, so give it the silence and dedication it deserves,” the Kenyan member of Opus Dei said.

Archbishop Muheria also addressed formators, urging them to maintain high standards for the Seminarians. 

He highlighted the importance of ensuring that only those who truly excel are allowed to pass through the seminary's rigorous formation process.

“We must not just pass people for the sake of it,” he cautioned, adding, “Let them prove that they deserve to pass. This seminary must be an institution of excellence, regardless of the facilities you have.”

The Kenyan Archbishop went on to reflect on the importance of common sense in seminary life, noting that it is often overlooked. 

He encouraged the Seminarians to recognize their vulnerabilities, accept their weaknesses, and be open to growth and correction.

“Common sense is very uncommon, especially in the seminary where you often hear the most ridiculous excuses,” Archbishop Muheria said, and added, “To grow in wisdom and honesty, you must have a foundation of common sense. Always seek to do the right thing first, and be mindful of the balance in your life.”

Archbishop Muheria cautioned the Seminarians about the dangers of lacking self-awareness and balance in their actions. “You must learn to measure the right balance in your life. We will help form you, but you must show us that you are willing to learn and grow,” he said.

The Archbishop called on the Seminarians to transcend their backgrounds and aspire to raise the standards of their communities.

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“We have come from the village but we must not remain villagers who happen to be Priests. We must become men of God who live in the village and help our people aspire to higher human and spiritual standards,” the Archbishop of Nyeri said.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.