Reducing Priest Colleagues into “mere tenants” Failure to Proclaim God’s Kingdom: Bishop in Kenya at Ordination

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Bungoma

The commissioning of 72 in pairs inspires the proclamation of the Kingdom of God, he said, and explained, “The Kingdom of God is close when we help one another; it is not a one-man show. The priesthood is not a one-man show. You’re not an expert in everything; allow others help you minister to the people of God.”

“The fact that you’ve been ordained does not mean you know everything in this world,” Bishop Kadima emphasized during the Saturday, June 15 event held at St. Mary’s Kibabii Boys School in his Episcopal See, and called upon the Clergy to “embrace humility, learn from others, and accept help from others.”

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Bungoma

The ability to relate well and work with others is a good manifestation of the Kingdom of God being close to you and the best way to proclaim this message to others, he said.

“If everyone is bad to you … then you are creating your own kingdom; that’s not the one of God,” he said, and appealed, “Relate well with people, accomplish your duties, share duties as well as resources.”

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Bungoma

Addressing himself to members of the Clergy at the helm of Rectories, he cautioned, “Don't reduce everything to your personal possession to the effect that the other person is just a tenant in the house.”

Drawing inspiration from St. Paul bidding farewell to the people of God of Ephesus after living among them for just over two years, he said, “You’ll be happy to say the Kingdom of God is close to the people when you depart well after your service.”

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Bungoma

As an ordained minister, Bishop Kadima said, “Let not your departure be marked by people saying there is no money; there are no records of accounts; there are a lot of debts … there’re no sheets on the bed, no utensils.”

He cautioned the Clergy against silent departures when transferred from a mission, and said, “Sit with the people, tell them ‘I’ve been transferred; I’m going, and I wish you well’. The Kingdom of God will be close if you do that.”

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Bungoma

“Live well so that when you leave, people will say that the Kingdom of God was near; depart while blessing them,” the Local Ordinary of Bungoma Diocese since his Episcopal Ordination in February 2022 emphasized, adding, “Follow the example of St. Paul, who knelt and prayed with the people before departing.”

Members of the Clergy also show the closeness of God’s kingdom when they heed Jesus' call that His disciples “watch over” themselves, he said. 

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Credit: Catholic Diocese of Bungoma

Bishop Kadima went on to distinguish between “watching over yourself” and “looking after yourself”, saying the latter is about going to “the sauna”, and the former about not losing track of God’s calling and mission.

“Watch over yourself,” he said, means “remain focused; don’t lose track of what your mission is.”

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Bungoma

“There are many obstacles, problems, and issues; there are those who are against you. It does not mean you should lose track of your Priesthood and mess it up,” he said.

“Watch over yourself and look after others, then the Kingdom of God will be close to you, and you will also be able to tell people that the Kingdom of God is close to them,” the 60-year-old Catholic Church leader said. 

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Bungoma

He lauded the members of the Clergy of Bungoma Diocese for their readiness for mission anywhere.

Bishop Kadima identified hospitality as a fourth way “to proclaim that the Kingdom of God is close at hand.”

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Bungoma

Drawing inspiration from Jesus’ instruction to his disciples to be with the people and eat what they have to offer, he warned, “If you cannot welcome others, offer them food, drink, a place to rest, and be with them, then the Kingdom of God is far from both of you.”

“Welcome one another, stay with one another, be generous to each other, and take care of each other,” the native of Kenya’s Catholic Diocese of Kakamega emphasized.

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Bungoma

He called upon the Laity to give the Clergy ample time to minister, and appealed, “Let my priests work; stop the gossip and propaganda.”

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Bungoma

Bishop Kadima presided over the ordination of 12 Seminarians as Deacons, and four Priests, including one for his Episcopal See, two members of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers), and one member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (O.F.M. Cap.).