By Wesley Omondi
NAIROBI, AUGUST 16, 2024 (CISA) – The Catholic Bishops of Kenya are preparing for a spiritual journey to the Vatican later this month. Known as the “Ad Limina Apostolorum,” this traditional pilgrimage allows bishops from around the world to visit the tombs of St. Peter and St. Paul and meet with the Holy Father.
The visit, typically conducted every five years, was last held in 2014. This upcoming visit will mark a return after a nine-year hiatus, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Holy Father’s health.
At a press conference held at the Waumini house, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) offices in Nairobi, Most Rev Maurice Muhatia Makumba, Chairman of the KCCB, underscored the deep spiritual and ecclesial importance of this visit.
“The Visit Ad Limina, which is translated to mean ‘to the doorsteps of the apostles,’ is a pilgrimage where bishops pay homage to the tombs of St. Peter and St. Paul in Rome,” Archbishop Makumba explained, adding “As successors of the apostles, the bishops express their unity of purpose with these two princes of the apostles who were martyred and are buried in Rome.”
Beyond its historical significance, the Ad Limina visit symbolizes the global Church’s unity and communion with the Holy Father.
“The Holy Father is the principal guardian of the deposit of faith,” said Archbishop Makumba, and “By visiting Rome, the various conferences from across the world express this communion with the Pope, reinforcing the unity and mission of the Church worldwide.”
Archbishop Makumba also highlighted the visit’s role in enabling the bishops to discuss with the Pope the experiences, challenges, and progress of the Church in Kenya: “The bishops will engage in discussions with the Holy Father on the challenges the local Church is facing, the milestones achieved, and proposals for moving forward as a Church.”
One key aspect of the Ad Limina visit is its obligatory nature for bishops in active ministry. Archbishop Makumba clarified that “unless there is a very grave reason, all bishops in office are expected to participate in the visit to Rome.”
Only retired bishops, known as emeriti, are exempt from this obligation. However, other church leaders, including Apostolic Administrator of the Military Ordinariate, Fr John Njue, will be part of the delegation.
Reflecting on the growth of the Catholic Church in Kenya since the last visit, Archbishop Makumba shared promising statistics.
“The Catholic population in Kenya is currently estimated to be between 12% and 15% of the total population,” he said, adding “This growth is not just in numbers but also in the vibrancy of faith, evidenced by an explosion of priestly and religious vocations.”
The archbishop of Kisumu commended the surge in vocations, noting that all major seminaries in Kenya are currently at full capacity.
“This is a sign of the vibrancy of the Church in Kenya. We are witnessing a growth in religious vocations, with many women and men dedicating themselves to the service of God as nuns, brothers, and priests,” he noted.
Despite these positive developments, Archbishop Makumba acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly in areas still undergoing primary evangelization.
“There are still areas in Kenya where the message of the gospel has not fully reached,” he said, noting “We, as the local Church, must continue to support these regions, ensuring that they receive the necessary pastoral care and resources.”
