By Gerald Mukembu
The Catholic Diocese of Meru has welcomed its new Bishop-elect, Jackson Murugara, with open arms. Hundreds of priests, nuns, and church leaders gathered at the Gitoro Pastoral Centre in Meru to hail praises and offer congratulations to the new appointee.
Bishop Salecius Mugambi, the current bishop of the Diocese of Meru, led the congregation in welcoming Bishop-elect Murugara, who will be officially consecrated on March 19, 2025. The venue for the consecration ceremony has not yet been decided.
Bishop Mugambi expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for appointing Murugara as the new bishop of the Diocese of Meru. “This is a gift from Pope Francis,” he said. “Bishop-elect Murugara will return to Nairobi’s Consolata Shrine, where he has been serving before handing over. He will take over automatically after my retirement in the next two years and will be responsible for ordaining deacons and priests, among other duties.”
Bishop Mugambi also appealed to young people to join the priesthood, citing a decline in enrollment of youths into the vocation over the past seven years. “I appeal even to university graduates to apply,” he said.
Bishop-elect Murugara, who was visibly overwhelmed with emotion, expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome extended to him. “I was surprised to hear the breaking news,” he said. “This is not due to our riches but due to the call to serve the Kingdom of God. God has granted me this vocation to fulfill God’s work.”
Murugara was born in 1970 in Kamanyaki, Tharaka Nithi County, Meru, and comes from a family of ten. He has a rich spiritual background, having studied at several institutions, including the Pontifical Urbanian University in Rome. He was ordained a priest on August 15, 2001, and has served in various parishes and institutions within the Diocese of Meru.
Fr Murugara was appointed as a Coadjutor Bishop of Meru by Pope Francis.
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop who helps the diocesan bishop run a diocese.
The Bishop-elect belongs to the congregation of the Consolata Missionaries. Until his appointment, Fr Murugara was serving at the Consolata Shrine in Westlands, Nairobi.
Profile of Bishop-elect Jackson Murugara
- Born: 1970 in Kamanyaki, Tharaka Nithi County, Meru
- Ordained a priest: August 15, 2001
- Served in several parishes and institutions within the Diocese of Meru
- Currently serving at Consolata Shrine, Westlands, Nairobi
- Will be officially consecrated as Bishop on March 19, 2025
