By CISA
MARALAL, OCTOBER 25, 2022 (CISA) – It was full of pomp and colour as the faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Maralal gathered at Allamano Grounds, Maralal Town, to witness the auspicious occasion of the consecration and installation of Rt Rev Hieronymus Emusugut Joya IMC, as the second bishop of the diocese on October 23.
“If you want to lead a family or a village, don’t use the heart, but use the lungs. In other words, don’t be in a hurry. Don’t use force. Jesus was very strong. He was the son of God, the King but only once he was very very strong, when he chased from the temple the traders but otherwise in front of the King, he was like a lamb,” counselled Bishop Virgilio Pante, emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Maralal in his homily during the solemn vespers on October 22.
Bishop Pante used the analogy of how a shepherd guides and gathers the sheep using the crook in a steady path with concern and compassion as he demonstrated to the new bishop how to shepherd the diocese not with authority or power but with love and understanding.
“You have to tell the truth. Stand for the truth but in a gentle way,” urged Bishop Pante while wishing Bishop Joya good graces on his novel mission, “You are a servant. A humble servant. I hope the Lord is going to help you to be a servant, a shepherd who loves and gives up his life for the people of the Diocese of Maralal.”
Bishop Joya becomes the third Kenyan Consolata Missionary bishop after Bishop Peter Kihara Kariuki IMC of Marsabit and Bishop Anthony Ireri Mukobo IMC of Isiolo. He takes over the diocese from Bishop Pante who was at the helm for over 21 years.
