“Pricks the heart and mind”: Kenyan Bishop Moved by Experiences of Catholic Sisters Serving in Non-Catholic Institutions

Promising to present the pastoral gaps that Sr. Lando presents in her book to the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Bishop Wallace, who serves as Chairman of the Commission for Social Communications of KCCB said, “In the spirit of Synodality, it is important we Bishops listen to what the Holy Spirit is telling us through this book.”

He appealed to members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (CICLSAL) and Diocesan Clergy to ensure that while they are designing their pastoral plans, they reflect on, and give importance to the unique apostolate of Sisters, and even men Religious serving in non-Catholic institutions.

The book, the latest by the widely published University professor, offers a unique insight into the joys, as well as the struggles of women Religious serving in what she describes as unventured pastoral territories.

The book is Sr. Lando’s attempt to shine a light on the experiences and impact of women Religious serving in non-Catholic institutions, especially within the Eastern and Central regions of Africa. The project is also an appeal to the Church to be attentive to the needs of these Catholic Sisters, who she says are serving in difficult conditions.

In Kenya, for instance, while women Religious serving in non-Catholic settings experience the joy of impacting individuals and communities, they sometimes “feel alone”, according to testimonies in the book that was published by Paulines Publications Africa (PPA).

Their challenges are diverse, including lack of Eucharistic celebrations and access to other Sacraments, mistreatment by those in authority at their places of work, as well as being perceived as “outsiders” in some of the institutions. Others were subjected to sexual abuses, and other forms of abuses, and unfairly denied promotions at their workplaces.

Some Catholic Sisters, who shared their experiences said that in some of these institutions, they are treated as outsiders, and sometimes, attempts are made to convert them from Catholicism.

In his address at the October 30 event, Bishop Wallace, whose installation as Bishop of the Military Ordinariate was on October 12 described himself as “the first beneficiary” of the book by the Kenyan-born member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary of Kakamega (SMK) who lectures at the Kenya-based Daystar University.

Bishop Wallace clarified that it is not only Catholic Sisters who serve in non-Catholic institutions, and explained, “Our Church instructs us to preach and serve the people of God everywhere. We should therefore not be surprised to find Catholic Sisters, Priests, Religious Brothers and even Bishops serving in non-Catholic institutions.”

“I am an example,” he said, and continued, “I am serving in the military Ordinariate. And in the military Ordinariate, I not only serve the Catholics.”

“Catholic pastoral agents don’t segregate when they go out on missions alongside the military. They serve even those who are Muslims and protestants. When the military men are out there, their only hope is usually the Priest accompanying them. When they come to you for encouragement, you don’t segregate between Catholics and non-Catholics,” Bishop Wallace said.

He described the issues raised in Sr. Lando’s book as “a pastoral matter very close to my heart.”

“For about 13 years, I was the Pastoral Coordinator of the Archdiocese of Nairobi. And this book responds to some of the pastoral needs that I experienced,” the Kenyan Catholic Bishop, who started his Episcopal Ministry on April 6 as one of the three Auxiliary Bishops of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi (ADN) said.

He noted that more and more members of Clergy and women and men Religious are venturing into special apostolates such as in the medical field. “We even have some working in banks these days,” he said.

“There are some of us who may be asking, ‘have these men and women of God forgotten their charisms and decided to venture into secular careers? Whenever you find them in these peculiar apostolates know that they are not lost,” Bishop Wallace said.

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He described women Religious, in particular, as a special group within the Catholic Church who do not choose where to go and serve because of their vows.

According to Bishop Wallace, when one Sister is serving at a non-Catholic institution, the institution begins to appreciate that they do not have just one Sister but the entire Catholic Church.

In her address at the book discussion, PPA Directress, Sr. Praxides Nafula said the event was an opportunity to explore what she described as “a vital narrative that highlights the transformative contributions of Catholic Sisters in diverse settings.”

“In our ever-evolving world, the mission of the Church extends beyond traditional boundaries,” Sr. Praxides said, and added, “Catholic Sisters have been at the forefront of this mission, demonstrating steadfast commitment, compassion and resilience in non-Catholic environments. Their work is a profound witness of the Gospel values of peace, love and unity.”

The Kenyan FSP member lauded Sr. Lando’s book for celebrating the challenges Church personnel face in reaching out to those who she said might otherwise remain untouched by Christ’s message.

She said conversations documented in Sr. Lando’s book highlight the importance of dialogue, collaboration, and understanding across different faiths and cultural contexts.

“As we engage with the insights, and stories presented in this book, I invite everyone to reflect on our role in fostering a spirit of inclusivity and outreach,” Sr. Praxides said.

She continued, “May this discussion inspire us to think critically of how we can support and amplify the efforts of those who work tirelessly in the mission fields, particularly in areas that are often overlooked.”

Sr. Lando’s efforts were also lauded by Sr. Grace Kyomugisha, the new President of the Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA), who said the book had come out strongly “to affirm, to testify, and to put a stamp” on the role of Consecrated women in the ACWECA region.

“Religious women have done a lot in the Catholic Church. Our activities have been invisible. We have delivered a lot of work in Church and society, especially in rural areas,” Sr. Grace said, adding that Catholic Sisters in the ACWECA region had not shied away from extending their services in non-Catholic institutions.

“We need support from the Church, and from the rest of the society. There is a lot we can do together,” the Ugandan-born member of the Congregation of Our Lady of Good Counsel said.

Her sentiments were echoed by Sr. Lando who, in a previous interview with ACI Africa on her book, had appealed to Catholic Bishops, in particular, to address the pastoral needs of women Religious serving in non-Catholic settings, especially when designing Diocesan and national pastoral programs.

Addressing Bishop Wallace during her book discussion, Sr. Lando maintained her appeal, saying, “We are requesting that you create a forum for Catholic Sisters serving in non-Catholic institutions. This platform will serve as a psychosocial support group for them.”

She also appealed to the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya (AOSK) and ACWECA to put in place similar platforms, and added, “We cannot wait for the Bishops to do what we Sisters can do by ourselves.”

“We are requesting for a fund that will be set apart for Catholic Sisters serving in non-Catholic institutions to support those who come for us asking for financial support,” Sr. Lando further said. 

She said that the Church could also establish a desk that would in turn develop a pastoral care program for women Religious serving in non-Catholic institutions.

“A number of Sisters have been suffering in silence and confiding only in their spiritual directors. They are vulnerable adults. But in this book, they have come out and there are specific areas where they are asking for help,” the SMK member said.