Newly Consecrated Catholic Bishop in Kenya Prays for Pope Francis’ “complete healing”

The Holy See press office said “infections” in the Holy Father’s lung are “still present” but “under control.” 

In his March 19 address, Bishop Murugara thanked Pope Francis for entrusting him with the responsibility of serving as Coadjutor of Meru Diocese. He said, “Thank you Your Holiness for placing such profound trust in me to carry the heavy cross of shepherding this Diocese. Like St. Paul, I take comfort in the words, "my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

The 54-year-old member of the Consolata Missionaries (IMC) pledged to work with everyone in the diocese fostering “fruitful cooperation and teamwork.”

“I promise to solemnly work with you, pray together, and grow spiritually. United with His Lordship Salesius Mugambi, the clergy, the religious, and the other pastoral agents, we shall steadfastly steer our diocese forward,” said the IMC member.

He added, “Let us work together, embracing our diversity to make Meru and Tharaka-Nithi and the nation as a whole a heaven of hope and prosperity for generations to come. As we celebrate this jubilee year I urge everyone to look to the future with hope, striving for prosperity and the salvation of our souls.”

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“I entrust all to the silent, yet powerful care of St. Joseph, the patron saint of our Diocese, and the maternal intercession of our Mother Mary Consolata. United in prayer, I thank you all and may God bless you abundantly,” said the Coadjutor Bishop of Diocese, who will assist 74-year-old Bishop Salesius Mugambi in Shepherding the People of God in the Kenyan Episcopal See.

Elevated from an Apostolic Prefecture of Meru to the Diocese of Meru in May 1953, the Kenyan Episcopal See has a population of 1,085,500 Catholics representing 31.1 percent of the total population in the Diocese, according to the 2023 statistics. 

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