“Be countercultural”: Catholic Bishop in Kenya Urges Spiritans, Redemptorists to Emulate their Founders at Ordination

Bishop George Muthaka of the Diocese of Garissa urged newly ordained deacons from the Congregation of the Holy Spirit and the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer to live countercultural lives. During an ordination held on September 18 at St. John the Evangelist Holy Ghost Parish in the Archdiocese of Nairobi, Muthaka told the men to remain faithful to the Gospel and follow the examples of their founders.

Muthaka instructed the deacons to preach the word of God with truth and love, even when their message contradicts current trends. He specifically encouraged the Redemptorists to emulate St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori by choosing simplicity and service over prestige and comfort. The bishop noted that Liguori, a lawyer, rejected the values of his time to preach to the vulnerable. He also called on the Spiritans to follow the example of Venerable Claude-François Poullart des Places.