The Provincial Custody of St. Francis of Assisi in Kenya accepted an invitation to serve in another diocese.
The Most Reverend Emmanuel OKOMBO, Bishop of Kericho, Kenya, issued the invitation. This diocese will be the seventh location where the Friars Minor Conventuals of Kenya are engaged. They have been doing pastoral service, helping another dioceses in the country and performing many other services (vocation formation, taking care of pilgrims, education, spiritual retreats, publishing and typography, as well as offering social and charitable services).
On October 14, 2018, the friars took possession of the new parish of St. John the Evangelist in Chepseon.
The parish is located halfway between Limuru (the Franciscan Center) and Subukia (the National Shrine). In the past, Chepseon had been the site of terrible tribal warfare. During the last Extraordinary Custodial Chapter, the Custody decided to take on the commitment in Chepseon with the intention of promoting peace and reconciliation among the area’s multi-tribal population.
During Mass, Bishop OKOMBO thanked the Custody for its commitment and presented the first community of friars to the 1500 parishioners attending the event. The fraternity at St. John the Evangelist is composed of three friar priests: Friars Stephen GATIMU, Godfrey OPATA and Paul MAKEMBO. They will be serving the faithful at the parish center and in its twelve outlying chapels.
The faithful were very enthusiastic about this event; until now there had only been one diocesan pastor and, of course, he could not do much by himself.
Friar Kazimierz SZULC, Provincial Custos
