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Kenyan Catholic Diocese Pledges to Strengthen Pastoral Exchange Program with American Archdiocese

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Kitui

The Catholic Diocese of Kitui in Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening and deepening its pastoral exchange partnership with the American Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

In a communique on Wednesday, May 21 following a two-week pastoral exchange visit to the U.S.A, the Kenyan Diocese says the initiative has “fostered rich spiritual, pastoral, and cultural exchanges that continue to meaningfully enrich both Dioceses.”

According to the communique, the Kenyan Diocese alongside their hosts “reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the bond of friendship and mission inspired by their Catholic faith and a common desire to witness Christ’s love in their respective communities.”

The diocesan delegation from Kitui Diocese, who arrived in Minnesota on May 8, visited various parishes, schools, and faith-based institutions in the American Metropolitan See.

“These visits formed an important part of the ongoing efforts to deepen mutual understanding, spiritual solidarity, and collaboration between the Diocese of Kitui and the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis,” reads the communique in part.

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During the May pastoral exchange visit, the Kenyan Diocese in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Nairobi and their host identified and set goals in strategic areas of focus including, “faith sharing, resource sharing, relationship building, and communication/outreach.”

“These priorities are expected to guide the next chapter of the partnership with renewed energy and clarity,” they say in reference to the 20-year-old pastoral exchange program.

The Kenyan Episcopal See describes the May visit as part of its ongoing efforts to foster deeper collaboration and mutual understanding with the people of God in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, expressing appreciation for the initiative that brings together “the people of God from two continents in a spirit of solidarity, service, and prayer.”

Situated in Eastern Kenya, the Catholic Diocese of Kitui was established as an Apostolic Prefecture in February 1956, by Pope Pius XII, and later elevated to Diocesan status in November 1963 by Pope St. Paul VI. It measures 30,346 square kilometers and has a population of 242, 065 Catholics according to 2024 statistics. The Diocese in Eastern Kenya has 32 parishes, 82 diocesan priests, and is served by 12 Religious Orders of men and women.

The Local Ordinary of the Kenyan Diocese, under the patronage of Our Lady of Africa, is Bishop Joseph Maluki Mwongela. He has been at the helm of the Episcopal See in Eastern Kenya since his Episcopal Installation in August 2020. 

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