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Newly Ordained Priests in Kenya Cautioned against Prioritizing Money in Ministry

Bishop Dominic Kimengich of Kenya's Eldoret Diocese during the ordination Mass at the Mother of Apostles Seminary on 23 April 2021

The Bishop of Kenya’s Diocese of Eldoret has, on the occasion of the ordination of nine deacons to the Priesthood, cautioned them against the tendency to prioritize money in their Priestly ministry, encouraging them, instead, to embrace unconditional service.

“Don’t do it for money. Don’t say you will not serve a person because the offertory is not going to be sufficient. We do not do it for money, but because we have been called to take care of these people of God,” Bishop Dominic Kimengich told the Deacons he was about to ordain Priests in his homily during the Friday, April 23 Eucharistic celebration.

Bishop Kimengich underscored the need for members of the Clergy to offer themselves in service saying, “We have come to the Church not to get anything but to give our lives.” 

“As St. Peter says, we Priests are called to be shepherds of the people of God. After ordination, you will be given an apostolate to do, be a good shepherd to the flock that will be entrusted to you,” he further said, and reiterated, “Be a Priest who cares and loves the flock. Those people are there so that you can take care of them.”

He continued in reference to those who will be under the pastoral care of the Deacons who was to ordain Priests, “Love them. Even when there are challenges, be committed to those people. Even when there is one sheep, be a good shepherd to him or her. Commit yourself and feed them.”

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During the ordination event that took place at the Mother of Apostles Seminary of Eldoret Diocese and televised by Capuchin tv, the Kenyan Bishop encouraged the nine Deacons he was about to ordain Priests to embrace service in their Priestly ministry, linking the virtue of service to peace.

“Peace is a consequence of the willingness on our part to serve the Lord every moment of God to the level of our people. That is where your peace will come from and that is where you will have happiness,” the Local Ordinary of Eldoret Diocese who doubles as the Apostolic Administrator of Kenya’s Lodwar Diocese said.

Ensure that those under your pastoral care are “fed with the word of God, the Eucharist and other Sacraments,” he said, adding, “When you celebrate the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, celebrate it well because it will transform our people. It will give them life.”

The Bishop who has been at the helm of Eldoret Diocese since February 2020 encouraged the Deacons strive for holiness.

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“God says I have consecrated you and set you apart. You are holy now. Maintain that holiness and know that when a Priest is Holy, even the people of God will be holy,” the 60-year-old Bishop said, making reference to the Book of prophet Jeremiah. 

He called on the Deacons to be to “be those who build a community and not one who brings separation and causes disunity.”

“You are peacemakers. Wherever you go, bring the peace of Christ. Like St. Francis, say Lord, make me an instrument of your peace so that you bring peace to the people,” Bishop Kimengich said, and cautioned, “When a Priest is messed up, he will also mess up the people of God.”

He encouraged a collaborative ministry among members of the Clergy saying, “That is how God wants us to do our apostolate; that we do not do individual apostolate but we do it together as a community, as brothers.” 

“Be there and support the Priests you will be working under,” he advised, adding, “Remain faithful to your vocation, remain faithful to your calling, and you will be a happy Priest.”

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Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.