“With prayers, almsgiving”, Let’s Support Cardinal Otunga’s Sainthood Journey: Catholic Archbishop of Nairobi, Kenya

The Archbishop of Nairobi, who serves as the petitioner for the cause of Cardinal Otunga’s canonization said Kenya’s first native Catholic Bishop and Cardinal is remembered for “many special things”.

“I invite all of you to not make this celebration just a one-day event,” he said, and emphasized the need to emulate the virtues that Cardinal Otunga espoused “in our lives, our actions, and in our being as a Church, as the people of Kenya, and as families, men, and women Consecrated to God.”

Archbishop Anyolo continued referring to Cardinal Otunga, “We are united with his family and with the universal Church in celebrating what we know has been brought to us as a gift from God – a life to emulate for the greater glory of God's name and our salvation.

Cardinal Otunga's was declared “Servant of God.” In 2010. His Sainthood cause is in the Roman Phase, which involves the examination and verification of documents (evidence) submitted by the petitioner. 

These documents are examined by a group of theologians and reviewed by another group of experts. If the review is favorable, the documents are submitted to the Holy Father for approval and subsequent issuance of a Papal decree confirming the virtuous life of the candidate to whom he confers the title, “Venerable”.

Since 2010, the Church in Kenya has been working to gather testimonies of his holiness and any miracles attributed to his intercession.

Credit: ACI Africa

In his September 6 homily, Archbishop Anyolo said that even before being declared “servant of God”, Cardinal Otunga was known to have been a faithful servant of Christ during his apostolate.

“It is not surprising, therefore, that when he passed on in 2003, these words appeared on his official photograph: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. Enter into the joy of your master’”, he said.

Archbishop Anyolo went on to laud Cardinal Otunga for his faithfulness and dedication to the Church, as well as for his humility and servant leadership even when he rose through the ranks in the Church hierarchy.

Credit: ACI Africa

“Since his ordination as a Priest in 1950, Consecration as a Bishop in 1957, and his elevation to Cardinal in 1973, he remained faithful to his calling as a servant of God and the Church,” the Kenyan Catholic Archbishop said, adding, “We remember him for his faithfulness, and we celebrate him today as a servant to his family, the Church, and the world.”

Archbishop Anyolo also reflected on Cardinal Otunga’s life of humility as depicted in the book, Cardinal Otunga: A Gift of Grace, which Margaret Ogola and Margaret Roche authored.

“His simplicity was striking. He drove himself, never accepting a big car, and sometimes cooked for himself,” said the Local Ordinary of ADN since 2021 referring to the book that Paulines Publications Africa (PPA) published in 1999 and reprinted in 2013.

(Story continues below)

Credit: ACI Africa

“His Eminence’s simplicity touched the lives of many in both the Church and the world,” Archbishop Anyolo said, adding that Cardinal Otunga “served others at the table, among his people, blessing them left and right.”

The Catholic Archbishop also reflected on Cardinal Otunga’s belief that God desires the salvation of all people. “This is just a passing place where we are living because eternity is what is prepared for us,” he said, referring to Cardinal Otunga’s conviction.

Credit: ACI Africa

He emphasized the need for the people of God to espouse the virtues that characterized Cardinal Otunga’s life noting that the process toward beatification and canonization is not just a matter of recognition.

“This process needs a miracle, and the miracle is amongst you – in your families, in your prayer groups, and in the Church,” Archbishop Anyolo said.

Credit: ACI Africa