Military Ordinariate of Kenya

The Military Ordinariate of Kenya is a military ordinariate of the Roman Catholic Church. Immediately subject to the Holy See, it provides pastoral care to Roman Catholics serving in the Kenyan Armed Forces and their families.

Military Ordinariate of Kenya

Ordinariatus Militaris Kenia
Location
CountryKenya
Information
DenominationRoman Catholic
RiteLatin Rite
Established20 January 1964 (57 years ago)
Current leadership
PopeFrancis
BishopAlfred Kipkoech Arap Rotich

History

When Kenya became independent in 1963, the Government of the Republic of Kenya adopted the British tradition of having Chaplaincy in the Kenya Defence Forces which is composed of the Kenya Army, the Kenya Air Force and the Kenya Navy. The chaplaincy was entrusted with the responsibility of religious administration of the Kenya Defence Forces Personnel, their families and dependants.

The Military Ordinariate of Kenya was established as a Military Vicariate on 20 January 1964 and the (Servant of God) Late Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga was appointed the first Military Vicar on the same date. On 24 July 1981, His holiness Pope John Paul II (Saint) established the Military Vicariate in Kenya officially. On 21 July 1986, the Servant of God) Late Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga became the first Ordinary of the Military Ordinariate of Kenya.

Although the Military Vicariate existed since 20 January 1964, it was not registered with Government of Kenya till 15 December 1986 after its elevation to a Military Ordinariate on 21 July 1986. The late (Servant of God) Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga served the Military Ordinariate as an Ordinary up to 29 August 1997. Col (Rtd) Bishop Alfred Kipkoech Arap Rotich was appointed as the Military Ordinariate of Kenya Bishop on 29 August 1997 and served up to 30 December 2016. Col Dr (Msgr) Benjamin K Maswili was appointed the Apostolic Administrator of the Military Ordinariate of Kenya on 30 December 2016.

The Military Ordinariate has grown over the years from Vicariate to Ordinariate. The number of Chaplains and Catechist has increased and thus spiritual and Pastoral care growth.

Office holders

Military Vicars
  • Bishop Maurice Michael Otunga (appointed 20 January 1964 – became Military Ordinary 21 July 1986) (concurrent with this appointment, became Archbishop, later Cardinal); see below

Military Ordinaries
  • Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga (appointed 21 July 1986 – retired 29 August 1997); see above
  • Alfred Kipkoech Arap Rotich (appointed 29 August 1997 - retired 30 December 2016)

Monsignor
  • Msgr Benjamin Kituto Maswili (appointed Apostolic Administrator on 30 December 2016 - to date)

References

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