From: ouko joachim omolo
Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News
BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
MIRUKA-NYAMIRA COUNTRY
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2011
This week I was privileged to spend the night at St Joseph’ Milimani Catholic Parish, Kisumu-this is the parish that served as the headquarters for the Mill Hill Misionaries in Upper Nile and Kavirondo.
The first bishop was Dr Henry Hanlon-Vicar Apostolic of the Upper Nile (7 January 1862-18 August 1937) was an English Roman Catholic bishop, belonging to the order of the Mill Hill Missionaries.
He was ordained Priest on the 21 September 1889 for the Mill Hill Missionaries and travelled to Northern India, where he served until 1894 when he was recalled to Rome to be appointed the first Vicar Apostolic of Upper Nile District of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tororo in Uganda, being consecrated 17 July 1894 and taking the title of Titular Archbishop of Teos- 1895-1911.
He was followed by Bishop John Biermans- Vicar Apostolic of Upper Nile-1913-1924. He was Bishop between 1912 and 1924.Bishop John Biermans was one of the pioneer evangelists in this part of the country.
Bishop Gorgniuos Brandsma- Prefect Apostolic of Kavirondo from 1924-1936, Bishop Nicholas Stam- Vicar Apostolic of Kisumu from1936-1948, Bishop Frederick Hall- Bishop of Kisumu from 1948-1964, Bishop Jan de Reeper-Bishop of Kisumu from 1964-1976, Bishop Philip Sulumeti of Kisumu from 1976-1978 and Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth- Archbishop of Kisumu from1978 to current.
Until last year the parish was run by white Mill Hill Missionaries before it was taken over by the first African indigenous priest, Kisumu archdiocese Fr Mose Omolo, who is also the Vicar of Kisumu archdiocese. Opposite Milimani parish was the bishop’s house, now known as clergy house.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kisumu is the Metropolitan for the Ecclesiastical province of Kisumu- in 1925.07.15 it was established as Apostolic Prefecture of Kavirondo from the Apostolic Vicariate of Upper Nile in Uganda.
In 1932.05.27 it was promoted as Apostolic Vicariate of Kisumu, 1953.03.25- promoted as Diocese of Kisumu, 1990.05.21 as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kisumu comprises of Suffragan diocese of Bungoma, established in April 27, 1987 from the diocese of Kakamega with Longinus Atundo as its first bishop and Bishop Norman King’oo-1998vto current.
Diocese of Eldoret, established as Apostolic Prefecture of Eldoret from the diocese of Kisumu in June 29, 1953-promoted as Diocese of Eldoret in October 13, 1959- Bishop Joseph Brendan Houlihan, Archbishop John Njenga and Bishop Cornelius Kipng’eno arap Korir since 1990 to current.
Homa Bay Diocese from the Diocese of Kisii, established in October 18, 1993 with Linus Okok Okwach as its first bishop-1993-2002- Bishop Philip Arnold Subira Anyolo-2003 to current, Kakamega Diocese, established in February 27, 1978- Bishop Philip Sulumeti, Kisii Diocese from the Diocese of Kisumu, established in May 21, 1960 with Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga as its first bishop followed by Bishops Tiberius Mugendi-1969-1993 joseph Mairura Okemwa, 1994 to current.
Diocese of Kitale, established in April 3, 1998 as diocese of Kitale from Diocese of, Diocese of Lodwar, established in January 11, 1968 as Apostolic Prefecture of Lodwar from the Diocese of Eldoret- January 30 1978 promoted as Diocese of Lodwar Eldoret with Maurice Anthony Crowley as its bishops to current.
Although training for priests was encountered with difficulties and hardships during this time, with many young men who aspired to become priests dismissed on petty things, among the first native priests ordained by the Mill Hills was Gabriel Atieno who made it to priesthood in 1940, making him one of the first African priests from Western Kenya. He was ordained at Yala by bishop Stam.
Among seminarians who followed thereafter were Bishop Tiberius Mongendi of Kisii Diocese, Maurice cardinal Otunga of Nairobi archdiocese and Bishop Philip Sulemeti of Kakamega.
On Thursday December 8 I attended the final profession at Lwak Mission of Sr Albertine Atieno Umaya- St Andrew Bondo Parish, Sr Ancila Akoth Abonyo- St Michael Sigomre, Sr Basillica Achieng Odette- St Joseph Nyabondo, Sr Christa Achieng Omondi-Holy Cross Ramba Sr Clarish Akatch Nyang’idi-St Sylvester Madiany, Sr Dorothy Awuor Odundo- St Sylvester Madiany, Sr Emma Karuana Njogu- St Kangaita-Muranga Diocese, Sr Francine Atieno Omollo Holy Trinity Rang’ala, Sr Melannie Atieno Omollo-St Sylvester Madiany, Sr Paula Atieno Ounga- St Paul’s Kisumu, Sr Veronica Akoth Illa-St Pau’s Homabay, and Sr Vita Achieng’ Odhiambo- Holy Trinity- Rang’ala.
On Friday December 9 I was privileged to say opening prayer for the Metropolitan see of Kisumu Catholic Choirs Association 2011 advanced music festival at St Mary’s Yala High School. Eleven choirs representing Kisumu, Eldoret, Kitale, Lodwar, and Homa-Bay.
St John Kasawai from Kitale Diocese emerged the winner followed by St Teresa’s Kibuye-Kisumu archdiocese and St Paul Cathedral position 3 from homa-Bay- Bungoma Diocese was represented in special class.
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