Kenya: priests advised to cultivate friendship

Archbishop Lele front left during a recent visit to Southwark Diocese after the ad limina in Rome

"Priests with no one to share with are endangering their vocation," says Archbishop Boniface Lele of Mombasa. The Archbishop was speaking today at the Holy Ghost Cathedral where he celebrated Mass for the priests of the Archdiocese, assisted by Fr John Correa, administrator of the Cathedral and Mgr Michael Ruwa of Mikindani Parish.

He also noted that as priests they need someone who could understand them as a friend and a companion. He urged the priests to have a close friend be it a priest or mentor, who they could be able to talk to and share with them their fears and feelings, their joys and sorrows. He also asked the priest to set aside some time for themselves to relax in between the hectic schedule that they have.

"You could go sightseeing, take up a sport, go for a walk or even visit your colleagues so as to relax your minds" Archbishop Lele said. He asked the congregation to pray for their priests as they solder on in their vocations, as they are also human.

Priests from all the deaneries in Mombasa were present and were given the oils to take back to their parishes.

Chrism Mass which is normally held on Holy Thursday was celebrated today so as to give the priests from Kilifi, Taita, Taveta and Kwale areas ample time to get back to their parishes in time for the Easter celebrations.

Source: Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa