Among the biggest challenges facing the people of God in the Diocese of Eldoret, ACN notes, include the lack of religious education among the faithful, the practice of polygamy, and the widespread poverty, which the leadership of the charity organization says also results in the Church having few financial resources.
These limitations, according to the Pontifical charity organization, trickle down to Priests who in turn face “many serious challenges”.
“For the first two of these problems, one of the most important preconditions for tackling them is the solid formation of the Priests of the diocese,” the leadership of ACN notes in the November 4 report.
There are 81 young men from the Bishop Maurice Anthony Crowley-led Diocese training for the priesthood. The seminarians are spread across various Major Seminaries in Kenya since the Diocese of Eldoret does not have a seminary of its own, according to ACN.
“Once again this year it was an occasion of great joy for the Diocese when nine of its young men were ordained to the Diaconate and another nine to the Priesthood. And there continue to be new vocations. At the beginning of the current academic year a further 16 young men began their training for the priesthood,” the leadership of the Catholic Charity organization says.
In addition to studying Theology and Philosophy, the Seminarians also gain practical experience of pastoral work in the parishes, ACN observes.
“During the three months of the summer holidays they all have placements in the parishes. Here they visit the Catholic faithful in their homes, sharing their joys and sorrows with them and praying together with them,” ACN leadership has reported.
It adds in reference to the Major Seminarians of Kenya’s Eldoret Diocese, “They are also active in youth work, visiting the elderly and sick and often bringing them Holy Communion, listening to them and comforting them. At the same time, in the local churches, they make the necessary preparations for the celebration of Holy Mass.”
The Seminarians also provide catechetical instruction and assist the priests by serving at Holy Mass, “a practice that helps to awaken in them a still greater love and deeper understanding for the Liturgy,” ACN leadership says in the November 4 report.
Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.
