Pope Leo XIV appoints Bishop Joseph Mwongela, presently the Bishop of Kitui, to be the Coadjutor Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Machakos.
Bishop Joseph Maluki Mwongela was born on 7 April 1968 in Kakumi. He went to Kakumi Primary School (1976- 1982) then proceeded to St. Matthias Mulumba Secondary School, Matinyani (1983-1986) and for Advanced Level to St. Charles Lwanga School, Kitui (1987-1988).
In 1989, he joined the initial Spiritual formation at St. Mary’s Senior Seminary, Molo in Nakuru. He then enrolled for a BA in philosophy at St. Augustine’s Seminary in Bungoma (1990-1991) and later for a BA in theology at St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary, Nairobi (1992-1995).
Mwongela was ordained to the order of diaconate on June 16, 1995 and later ordained a priest on September 7, 1996 together with Fr. Charles Kitheka and Fr. John Kisolo by the late Archbishop Boniface Lele at, Our Lady of Africa Cathedral grounds in Kitui.
Since his Ordination, he has held the following positions and completed further studies: Parish Vicar of Migwani (1996-1997); Parish Priest of Ngumi (1997-1998); Formator at St Patrick Formation House (1999-2001); Diocesan Chancellor and Director of the Diocesan Office for Vocation Ministry (2001-2003); Specialization studies in Rome for a Licentiate in Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University and for a Doctorate in Theology at the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas – Angelicum (2003-2008); Parish Priest of Muthale (2008-2013); Director of the St John Paul II Institute of Professional Studies and Parish Priest of Boma (2014-2015); Vicar General of the Diocese of Kitui (2015-2020).
On 17 March 2020 he was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Kitui and received episcopal consecration on the following 29 August.
WHAT DOES THIS IMPLY?
When an ordained bishop is appointed Coadjutor Bishop of another diocese it means that he is assigned to assist the current diocesan bishop while also being formally designated as his automatic successor.
Unlike an Auxiliary Bishop, a Coadjutor has the guaranteed right of succession, so when the diocesan bishop either retires, resigns, or dies, the coadjutor immediately becomes the new diocesan bishop without any further appointment.
This role is typically used to ensure continuity of leadership, especially when a transition is anticipated due to age, health, or the pastoral needs of the diocese, and the coadjutor is usually given substantial responsibilities to prepare him for full governance.
Usually Catholic bishops are typically requested to submit their resignation to the Pope when they reach the age of 75.
The current Bishop of Machakos is Rt. Rev. Norman King’oo Wambua and was born in 1952 and therefore he is 1 year away from attaining the official retirement age of 75 years after serving 27 years of episcopal life.
By Bonface Mulyungi.
