2015-02-23 09:56:00

New Archbishop of Mombasa, Martin Kivuva, and the number eleven


Kenya’s newly appointed Archbishop of Mombasa, Martin Kivuva says that the number 11 has been significant in his priestly life. He has always been moving to new stations apparently after every 11 years. He served at the Changamwe parish, Mombasa for 11 years in his first posting as a priest. He worked at Ukweli Video Production in Nairobi for 11 years. He has now just moved to Mombasa Archdiocese after serving as Bishop of Machakos for 11 years.

Bishop Kivuva is 63 years now. This means that if he serves in Mombasa for 11 years he will be 74 years. A Bishop in the Catholic Church retires at the age of 75 years. If Archbishop Kivuva serves in Mombasa for 12 years until he retires, it will mean that God has given him a bonus for work well-done.

Archbishop Kivuva moves to Mombasa at a time the region is facing challenges, especially those related to the radicalisation of local youth blamed for increased terrorist attacks that this coastal town and Kenya as a country has suffered.

Coincidentally, the number 12 is considered a perfect number in Scripture. It symbolises God's power and authority.  Jesus Christ called and chose 12 men as his Apostles. They were to bear witness to what he did and to spread the Good News of the gospel to the entire world.

(By Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ in Kenya)








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