Catholic Archbishop Philip Arnold Subira Anyolo is on a journey that will mark his place in history in an installation ceremony as the new Catholic archbishop.
The Kisumu’s Archbishop-designate Rev Philip Anyolo on Friday told Catholic faithful to unite and defend the church against interference, which he warned could tear it down.
Rev Anyolo used his farewell mass in Homa Bay County to preach togetherness among the congregation, saying it will would provide a good opportunity for spiritual leaders to serve and undertake their evangelism roles effectively.
“I appeal for continuous unity (in the Diocese of Homa Bay) because this will ensure everybody discharges their roles without fear and interference,” he said during a farewell mass at St Paul Catholic Church in Homa Bay town yesterday. He told the Church to continue providing for the poor.
He will take over from Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth, who has retired after nearly 50 years in the pulpit.
The ceremony will take place at the Uzima University College grounds.
The Catholic Church top leadership, the Pope’s representative in Kenya, bishops and lay leaders are already in Kisumu for the ceremony.
Choirs that have been invited to entertain guests were practising enthusiastically yesterday as one of the church’s biggest ceremonies in the recent past approached.
Archbishop Anyolo’s work in the church started when he was ordained in 1983.
He told The Standard that his appointment by Pope Francis took him by surprise.
“On November 4, I started my usual routine of morning prayers. Hardly did I expect the news that I would be elected by the Holy See to take power at the expansive Kisumu archdiocese,” Anyolo said.
However, the soft-spoken cleric stated that he was ready for the task.
While packing his bags yesterday, Archbishop Anyolo took us down memory lane.
He said he would never forget three priests who changed his life from a village boy to a priest and now an archbishop.
Rev Anyolo, now the centre of attention among the Catholic faithful, assured them of support to ensure prosperity of the church.
“We need to continue doing the work of the Lord by touching the hearts of the poor. Being in Kisumu will not hinder me from serving the congregation in Homa Bay,” said Rev Anyolo.
In Kisumu, he vowed to continue building bridges for the sake of attaining a unified Church.
He promised to consult and work together with his predecessor, Archbishop Okoth, who served the metropolitan diocese since May 21, 1990.
“We want to thank God for him and for the work he has done as I plan to find out the legacy that he has laid down and make it the root of our faith here,” he said.
He said the unity should go beyond and across the walls and rivers so that the Catholic faithful unite as one.