Beatification hopes for Kenyan cardinal

The Catholic Church in Kenya plans to ask the Vatican to begin the process of making Cardinal Maurice Otunga a saint. The Pope's ambassador to Kenya, His Excellency Archbishop Alain Paul Lebeaupin, confirmed the news to reporters in Nairobi yesterday, after presiding at a memorial Mass to mark the second anniversary of the death of the former Archbishop of Nairobi. "The process has not begun," the Nuncio said. "This has to be very clear. There is no process as yet. As I told you the rule is five years. The Archdiocese of Nairobi needs a special authorisation from the Holy Father." Archbishop Lebeaupin concelebrated the memorial Mass with the retired Archbishop of Mombasa John Njenga, Bishop Joseph Mairura of Kisii and the auxiliary bishops of Nairobi David Kamau and Anthony Ireri. The homily was delivered by Fr Dominic Wamugunda, Dean of students at the University of Nairobi. He described Cardinal Otunga as "an extremely holy man." Bishop Mairura of Kisii said his diocese had requested the faithful to pray through Otunga and that they should report to him if any miracle happened through the Cardinal's intercession. A much-loved pastor, Cardinal Otunga died on September 6, 2003 aged 81. Source: CISA