Bishop Lagho is the first native local Ordinary of the coastal diocese.
Newsroom (23/12/2021 9:30 AM Gaudium Press) Bishop Willybard Kitogho Lagho of the Diocese of Malindi in Kenya has proposed to the faithful that instead of asking him for more priests for their parishes, they should promote priestly vocations in their respective families. The Bishop encouraged them to “cultivate the seed of faith planted by the Mill Hill Missionaries” in his Episcopal See.
“Where are priests coming from?” retorted Bishop Lagho, faced with pleas from parishioners in the nine outer regions of Witu to increase the number of priests, “You should be giving me priests instead of asking me,” he noted.
Parishioners expressed concern over losing members of the parish to other religious denominations amidst the lack of priests for regular Sunday Eucharistic Celebrations.
“We are losing some of our faithful to other religions because, with only two priests, Holy Masses are not celebrated in some areas on Sundays,” stated the faithful of St. Joseph Freinademetz Witu-Kipini Parish. And they continued: “some parishioners choose to go to other religious denominations where the Pastor is available every Sunday and is close to them during the week.”
Responding to parishioners’ concerns, the Kenyan Bishop stressed the need to nurture local vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
The faith of missionaries can be maintained by “sustaining vocations, nurturing and encouraging those called to the Priesthood and Religious Life,” he noted. Bishop Lagho is the first native local Ordinary of the coastal diocese.
With files from ACI Africa
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
