MANILA (UCAN): The Archdiocese of Jaro, Iloilo in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines, has adopted a parish in Kenya, Africa, and sent Archbishop Rony Lazo and Father Peter John Guarin for the canonical erection of the Holy Family Parish in Kaaleng, Turkana County, according to an announcement on social media by the archdiocese’s Commission on Social Communication.
In 2019, the archdiocese sent two other priests to Kenya to prepare the parish in the Diocese of Lodwar for the adoption programme.
“This (parish) will be the first adopted mission parish of the archdiocese in Africa. Last year Fathers Arthur Flores and Alfone Berbegal were sent to Kaaleng for the mission … and to prepare for the erection of the new parish under the pastoral care of Jaro Archdiocese,” the archdiocese’s announcement said.
The adoption ceremony was attended by Gary O. Auxilian, the consul at the Philippine embassy in Kenya, Bishop Dominic Kimengich, the apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Lodwar, and Archbishop Lazo.
Priests from Jaro will work in the parish with nuns from the congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Lord’s Table, known in the Philippines for its catechism and parish work.
“The apostolates of our congregation include catechetic and religious education and parish work in urban communities and barangays. We also enjoy providing liturgical renewal, forming basic ecclesial community, assisting with formal religious education, family and life instructions, and training and formation of lay leaders,” Sister Evangeline Camano said.
Sister Camano said their contribution would help the Filipino priests propagate the faith among African families.
“We look forward to working and creating a partnership with the fathers from Jaro Archdiocese. The parish is not only a mission but a gift from God to discover him amid people who come from a very different culture,” Sister Camano added.
There are around 50 Filipino missionaries in Kenya who are assigned to remote and impoverished areas.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
Filipino churchgoers said the African mission was an opportunity for to help and reach out to the peripheries according to the call of Pope Francis.
“Going or supporting a mission in Kenya is indeed a response to the call of the pope to reach out and to go to the peripheries in the world. Supporting this kind of mission makes us (Filipinos) realise that the Church is not only confined to our parish or community. It is universal,” Carla Magtanong said.
