By Sr. Adelaide Ndilu and Rose Achiego Ande
In a significant move for the Catholic Church in Kenya, Pope Francis has appointed Rt. Rev. Wallace Ng’ang’a as the Bishop of the Military Ordinariate and Rev. Fr. Peter Kimani Ndu’ngu as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Embu. The appointments were officially announced in L’Osservatore Romano on August 15, 2024, at 12:00 pm Rome time (1:00 pm Kenyan time).
The announcement was also communicated by His Excellency Archbishop Bert van Megen, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan, to the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB).
Bishop Wallace Ng’ang’a
Before this appointment, Bishop Wallace Ng’ang’a served as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi. He was ordained and installed as Bishop on April 6, 2024, following his appointment on February 14, 2024. He is currently the Chairman of the Commission for Social Communications and Vice Chairman of the Commission for Pastoral and Lay Apostolate at KCCB.
Brief Biography:
- Spiritual Formation: Began at St. Mary’s Molo Seminary (1996), continued with philosophical studies at St. Augustine Major Seminary Mabanga (1997-1998), and theological studies at St. Mathias Mulumba Major Seminary in Eldoret (1999-2003).
- Educational Qualifications: Holds a Master’s in Pastoral Theology from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (C.U.E.A).
- Priestly Ordination: Ordained on May 21, 2005.
- Pastoral Experience: Served in various parishes, including St. John the Evangelist Parish Githiga, Sts. Peter and Paul Kiambu, and Christ the King Embakasi. He was also the Pastoral Coordinator of the Archdiocese of Nairobi and the Father in Charge at Queen of Apostles Parish, Ruaraka.
Bishop-Elect Peter Kimani Ndung’u
Rev. Fr. Peter Kimani Ndu’ngu, the newly appointed Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Embu, was born in 1966 in Kamuchege village, Holy Family Githunguri Parish. He completed his secondary education at Queen of Apostles Junior Seminary and later pursued philosophical and religious studies at the Apostles of Jesus Major Seminary.
Brief Biography:
- Education: Earned a diploma in philosophical and religious studies (1984-1990) and a Bachelor of Arts in Sacred Theology (1991-1994).
- Priestly Ordination: Ordained a deacon in 1994 and a priest in 1995.
- Pastoral Experience: Served in various capacities, including as Deacon at Holy Family Parish, Githunguri, Assistant Priest at St. Peter & Paul Kiambu, and Father in Charge at Holy Rosary Parish, Kamwangi. He has been the National Chaplain of the Kenya Prison Service since 2001 and a representative to the International Catholic Commission for Prisons Pastoral Care (ICCPPC) since 2008.
- Certifications: Holds certificates in Counseling Skills for Rehabilitation of Offenders, Trauma Counseling Skills, and Staff Training for Correctional Leadership.
Bishop-Elect Kimani has represented the ICCPPC in numerous countries, including Italy, Germany, Austria, the USA, Brazil, Argentina, and South Africa.
These appointments mark a new chapter in the leadership of the Catholic Church in Kenya, with both bishops bringing extensive experience and dedication to their new roles.