Kenya: 300th anniversary celebrations for Holy Ghost Fathers

The Holy Ghost Missionaries in East Africa marked their tri-centenary celebrations on Pentecost Sunday, by commissioning ten newly ordained priests from the region to go to work in various parts of the world -the Catholic Information Service Africa report. In a colourful ceremony held at Nairobi's St Austin's Church - one of the oldest Catholic churches in Kenya established by the Holy Ghost Fathers, more than one hundred years ago, four different sacraments were instituted to various categories of Christians. The main celebrant was Nairobi Archbishop Ndingi Mwana 'a Nzeki who administered the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Matrimony and First Communion to hundreds of Christians who had been preparing for their sacraments. Eleven couples were wedded, while scores of young men and women received their first Holy Communion. Archbishop Ndingi was assisted by Archbishops Zaccheaus Okoth of Kisumu and Nicodemus Kirima of Nyeri. Also present were Bishop Cornelius Korir of Eldoret who is also the Chairman of the Kenya Episcopal Conference, his Vice-Chairman Bishop Peter Kairo of Nakuru, Bishop Boniface Lele of Kitui and Bishop Paul Darmanin of Garissa. Others were the Provincial Superior of the Holy Ghost Missionaries in East Africa, Very Rev Fr Evarist Shayo, the Regiona Superior Fr Sean McGovern, the Parish Priest Fr Martin Keane and hundreds of Holy Ghost missionaries from the East Africa region. Visitors also came from Tanzania, Ethiopia and Uganda. The famous St Teresa's Youth Choir from Arusha Tanzania who put up a wonderful performance and sung their hearts out provided music. The St Austin's Choir and some singers from Consolata Shrine of Nairobi joined them in making the day a success. Following is a list of the 10 commissioned priests and their new postings: Nicholas Kereba (Uganda), Dennis Bukenya (Nigeria), Patrick Kagua (Cameroon), Andrew Mwania (Tanzania) John Kamangara (Malawi), Peter Mallya (Tanzania), Peter Kway (Kenya), Renatus Karumuna (Ethiopia), Filbert Chundu (Philippines) and Gerald Kiwale (the Seychelles). After Mass, Archbishop Ndingi blessed three trees to be planted commemorating the occasion, and also cut a huge cake to mark 300 years assisted by Fr Shayo and the other Bishops. Source: Francis Muroki for CISA