“You do not need to start from scratch”: Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya Urges New Bishop to Build on Foundation of Christ

Archbishop Van Megen reminded members of the Clergy that as channels of God’s grace, their responsibility lies in “the unfolding mysteries of human salvation.”

“It’s our only duty to watch over that process, to make sure that God’s spirit can work freely in us and humanity at large. We Priests and Bishops should never be obstacles to that grace but mere channels, facilitating God’s presence in this world,” he said in his homily during the Wednesday 19 event.

The newly consecrated Kenyan Bishop, who is an alumnus of Teresianum University, where he obtained a Lentiae in Spirituality, has served in various positions, as Parish collaborator in Kagaene and Mujwa, in the Diocese of Meru and Parochial Vicar in Chiga, in the Archdiocese of Kisumu.

He has also served as a Formator of postulants at the Consolata Seminary in Nairobi and director of the pastoral centers Bethany House and Charity Home, in the Diocese of Murang’a. He was serving as the Parish Priest and Rector of Our Lady of Consolata Shrine of the Archdiocese of Nairobi before his appointment on 16 January 2025.

In his Wednesday 19 homily, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya warned the Bishop-elect of the allures of the devil, and encouraged him to focus on reconciling people with God.

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He said, “Indeed the church you are called to serve and lead as a Bishop exists only for one reason, and … the forgiveness of sins is the first and foremost vocation of the church.”

He continued, “All the other activities of the church flow from this one. Reconciliation with God. So therefore dear Jackson, don’t fall for the temptation to become like some of us focusing on financial gain, prestige, or increase of power.”

“In many ways, you may not see the result of your hard labor but don’t get disappointed,” Archbishop Megan advised the newly consecrated Bishop, reminding him that, “the legacy of a priest and the hard work of a Bishop is not always visible, it is more about souls than about stones.” 

The Nuncio urged the newly ordained Bishop to continue evangelizing, and help God’s People to “stand strong in faith” and “resist the onslaught of consumerism, individualism, and the sin of greed.” 

With the right of succession, Bishop Murugaru has the mandate to assist 74-year-old Bishop Salesius Mugambi in shepherding the people of God in the Kenyan Episcopal See that was elevated from an Apostolic Prefecture of Meru to the Diocese of Meru in May 1953.

The Diocese, which measures 9,546 square kilometers is part of Nyeri Metropolitan See, and has a population of 1,085,500 Catholics representing 31.1 percent of the total population in the Diocese, according to 2023 statistics.

The Kenyan Episcopal See is part of Nyeri Metropolitan See. It measures 9,546 square kilometers and has 85 Parishes, 220 Priests, 72 men Religious, and 432 women Religious.