Sudi Namachanja, the paramount chief, congratulates his son Maurice Otunga on becoming Kenya’s first African Roman Catholic bishop. Among the 173 children that Paramount Chief Namachanja had, Otunga was one of his 70 wives. 1957.
In 1957, Kenya witnessed a significant milestone as Maurice Otunga was consecrated as the first African Roman Catholic bishop in the country. This historic event was marked by congratulations from Sudi Namachanja, the paramount chief, who expressed pride in his son’s achievement.
Maurice Otunga’s ascent to the episcopate was noteworthy not only for his religious leadership but also for his familial background. As the son of Paramount Chief Sudi Namachanja, Otunga hailed from a prominent lineage. Paramount Chief Namachanja, recognized for his position of authority, had a sizable family, fathering a remarkable 173 children with his numerous wives, among whom Otunga’s mother was counted.
This momentous occasion underscored not only Otunga‘s personal accomplishment but also the growing influence and representation of Africans within the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy in Kenya.
Maurice Michael Otunga (January 1923 – 6 September 2003) was a prominent Kenyan Catholic prelate and cardinal, serving as the Archbishop of Nairobi from 1971 to 1997. Born into a traditional African family as the son of Wasike Lusweti Sudi, a tribal chief, Otunga embraced Catholicism in 1935, rejecting the opportunity to succeed his father in tribal leadership. Instead, he pursued a path to the priesthood, studying theology in Kenya and Rome.
Ordained a priest in 1950, Otunga’s dedication to the Church led to his appointment as Bishop of Tacape by Pope Pius XII in the 1950s. He later served in various leadership roles within the Church, attending the Second Vatican Council and eventually being appointed as Archbishop of Nairobi in 1971.
Elevated to the cardinalate by Pope Paul VI in 1973, Otunga continued to advocate for the Church’s teachings and principles throughout his tenure. He staunchly opposed the use of condoms, advocating for abstinence as a means of birth control, and vehemently criticized abortion. Additionally, he voiced concerns about the expansion of Islam in Africa, sparking debate and controversy.
Despite facing health challenges in his later years, Otunga remained committed to his faith and pastoral duties until his retirement in 1997. He passed away in 2003, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering devotion to the Catholic Church and its teachings.
Otunga’s cause for canonization has begun, with him being honored as a Servant of God, marking the first step towards potential sainthood in the Catholic Church. His life and contributions continue to be remembered and celebrated, with the government even naming a street in Nairobi in his honor.
Kenya: Pray for Cardinal Maurice Otunga to be beatified and then canonised.
On the occasion of the 18th anniversary of Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga’s death, the Archdiocese of Nairobi encourages the faithful to keep praying for the cause of beatification and canonisation.
CISA – Nairobi, Kenya.
“Let us continue praying for an extraordinary miracle for the cause of beatification and canonisation of the Servant of God Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga,” Sr. Esther Ichugu FMI, Secretary to the Cardinal Otunga’s Beatification Committee, said.
Prayer, donations for the process, and patience
Sr Ichugu spoke Monday at the Holy Family Minor Basilica in Nairobi during Mass to mark the 18th death anniversary of the Servant of God, Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga.
The 1.00 pm Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Bishop David Kamau, the Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi. Bishop Kamau called for continued supplication for a quick process of beatification.
“We, the Archdiocese of Nairobi, are movers of the process; let us continue to uplift the process. Three things are expected of us: 1) prayer for an extraordinary miracle and for the process, 2) donations for the process and 3) patience.
The process must follow the norms and procedures of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints in Rome,” said Sr. Ichugu
Cardinal Otunga is a model of heroic virtues
“We as the Catholic Church in Kenya are privileged to have the Servant of God Maurice Michael Otunga as a model of virtues. He lived in our midst and is living today through his legacy of heroic virtues,” she added.
Born on 31 January 1923 in Chebukwa village of Western Kenya, Cardinal Otunga died on 6 September 2003 at 80. He served the Church for 53 years as a priest, Bishop and Cardinal.
Who can be a saint?
All Christians are called to be saints.
Saints are persons in heaven (officially canonised or not), who lived heroically virtuous lives, offered their life for others, or were martyred for the faith, and who are worthy of imitation.
In official Church procedures, there are three steps to sainthood: a candidate becomes “Venerable,” then “Blessed,” and then “Saint.” Venerable is the title given to a deceased person recognised formally by the pope as having lived a heroically virtuous life or offered their life.
To be beatified and recognised as a Blessed, one miracle acquired through the candidate’s intercession is required in addition to recognition of heroic virtue or offering of life. Canonisation requires a second miracle after beatification.
The pope may waive these requirements. A miracle is not required prior to a martyr’s beatification, but one is needed before canonisation.
