BISHOPS: Kenya Needs New Constitution

The current Kenyan constitution is not serving the common person’s interests, and hence, there is urgency in putting up a new one.

Kenya Episcopal conference bishops who met in Nairobi on November 10-11, 2009, to familiarize themselves with the new constitution draft document, which is expected to be published in few days’ time, also said that the current constitution is hindering transparency and accountability of the political leadership to the public.

The Bishops had met with the Constitutional experts to understand more the contents of the said draft.

At the same sitting, the Kenya’s Bishop’s delegation that represented the country during the just concluded Second Synod for Africa in the Vatican, updated the Ordinaries of the deliberations of the synod.

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Constitution for Anglican 'Catholics' Published

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has issued an Apostolic Constitution on the establishment of the Personal Ordinariates for the Anglicans wishing to join the Catholic church.

The Constitution, Anglicanorum Coetibus, which was published on November 9, 2009, introduces a canonical structure that provides for the corporate reunion by establishing Personal Ordinariates, which will allow the Anglican groups to enter full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving elements of distinctive Anglican Spiritual and liturgical patrimony.

According to a press release from the Apostolic Nunciature in Kenya, also published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is publishing a set of complementary Norms which will guide the implementation of the new provision responding to the many requests that have been submitted to the Holy See from groups of Anglican clergy and faithful in different parts of the world wishing to join the Catholic Church, that was announced by Cardinal William Levada, Prefect of the congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, on October 20, 2009.

The Constitution opens a new avenue for the promotion of Christian unity while, at the same time, granting legitimate diversity in the expression of our common faith, affirmed the statement, adding that the provision of this new structure is consistent with the commitment to ecumenical dialogue, which continues to be a priority for the Catholic Church.

However, the Apostolic Constitution does not change or alter the church law on celibacy for Catholic priests

“The possibility envisioned by the Apostolic Constitution for some married clergy within the personal Ordinariates does not signify any change in the Church’s discipline of clerical celibacy,” stated the Holy father's press statement.

According to the Second Vatican Council, priestly celibacy is a sign and a stimulus for the pastoral charity and radiantly proclaims the reign of God (Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1579)

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Malindi Diocese gets an Apostolic Administrator

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed his Lordship, Rt. Rev. Paul Darmanin (pictured, left), as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Malindi.

According to a communiqué dated November 3, 2009, and signed by Monsignor janusz Urbancysk, the Charge d’ Affaires at the Apostolic Nunciature in Kenya, Bishop Darmanin will administrate the diocese till new bishop is appointed and installed.

The communiqué read: “I have the honour to forward to you the original Decree sent by the congregation for the Evangelisation of peoples, by which your Lordship is appointed the Apostolic Administrator of the vacant See of Malindi up to the date of installation of the new Bishop.”

The seat was left vacant following the death of Bishop Francis Baldacchino, on October 10, 2009, while undergoing medical treatment in Malta, his country of Birth, where he was buried on October 14, 2009.

Bishop Darmanin is the Bishop of Diocese of Garissa.

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