By Odiwuor Opiyo
KITALE, NOVEMBER 29, 2022 (CISA) – Rev Fr Henry Juma Odonya, bishop-elect of the Catholic Diocese of Kitale, was today presented to the clergy at the Immaculate Cathedral Parish by Archbishop Hubertus Matheus Maria Van Megen, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan and Bishop Maurice Anthony Crowley of Kitale, ahead of his consecration and installation slated for January 21, 2023.
In his speech, Archbishop van Megen lauded the bishop-elect for his experience and energy despite his young age.
“We accompany him with our prayers because I think it is very important. Especially the first year as a bishop and I speak from experience that the first years as a bishop are not always easy. You have to grow into that office,” said the nuncio who thanked the Fr Odonya for accepting the Pope’s appointment to the episcopate.
“Be assured of our prayers, be assured of the support and the prayer of Pope Francis. We, especially the priests here and the religious sisters and other religious, will accompany you not only with their prayers but also with their factual support, with their aid, with their counsel, with their encouragement,” he said.
Fr James Oranga, the chairman of the priests in the diocese also congratulated the new bishop in saying that “Fr Henry is not new to us. He has worked amongst us. He has been one of us. He understands us and I am very sure that he is going to shepherd us and guide us well in this diocese.”
Fr Oranga affirmed their support and cooperation to the incoming bishop.
The bishop-elect thanked the outgoing bishop for his 24 years of service in the diocese; overseeing the growth in number of vocations to religious life, number of parishes, number of faithful and the number of ordinations in the diocese.
