REFLECTIONS OF A KENYAN PRIEST

By Fr. Casmir Odundo The surname "Rugambwa" is very famous within Catholic circles. This is because it belonged to the late Laurean Cardinal Rugambwa, the first African Cardinal. He was created a cardinal on March 28, 1960, by Pope John XXIII at the age of 47. Cardinal Rugambwa's contributions to the Vatican II Council from 1962-1965 are considered to be one of the most significant by an African prelate. He was praised for his fluency in multiple languages, including Italian, French, German, Swahili, Luanda, English, and Latin. Later, he became the Archbishop of Dar Salaam after moving from Bukoba. Cardinal Laurean Rugambwa died on December 8, 1997, on the Feast of Our Lady, whom he was deeply devoted to.  Laurean Cardinal Rugambwa: First African Cardinal According to Bishop Method Kilaini, the name "Rugambwa" signifies an individual with an esteemed reputation. They say that give a child a name, and he will live up to it.  In Tanzania, there are two other prel

By Fr. Casmir Odundo The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the  Lord  has this been done; a marvel in our eyes. (Psalm 118: 22-24) The decision of Pope Francis to name Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla of Juba, South Sudan, as a Cardinal Last Sunday (5th July 2023), along with 20 others, could be Pope Francis' way of sending a message to the Church regarding the tribal politics that sometimes find their way into the Church. This follows the elevation of Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke to Cardinal, who had also undergone similar tribulations when he was appointed Bishop of Ahira diocese .  When Pope Francis appointed Bishop Ameyu as the Archbishop of Juba, there was contestation from a few individuals who wrote a letter stating , " Under no conditions will Bishop Ameyu be accepted to serve as Archbishop of Juba. " To make their case weighty, the letter also included false allegations to tarnish the Archbishop's name. However, as in the diocese