The Catholic Diocese of Maralal has suspended seven priests as Bishop Hieronymus Emusugut Joya moves to tighten discipline and overhaul the running of the Church following years of internal investigations, audits and consultations that exposed serious challenges within the diocese.
In a four-page pastoral letter dated July 12, the bishop said the decision follows nearly four years of reviewing the state of the diocese after he assumed office in October 2022. The review, he said, pointed to financial, administrative and pastoral problems that required immediate action to restore accountability and proper leadership.
Bishop Joya said he took over a diocese facing numerous difficulties and quickly began putting measures in place to address the situation.
“I found a diocese with multiple problems, but no one was willing to tell me the causes and how to get the solutions,” Bishop Joya wrote in the pastoral letter reported by Catholic outlet ACI Africa.
He said restoring the financial health of the diocese became one of his first priorities, leading him to seek support from donors while introducing systems to strengthen governance and improve financial management.
“That helped me conduct an assessment of the diocese, carry out audits in parishes, institutions and offices, set up systems and structures, do restructuring and pay debts,” he said.
The bishop also defended his fundraising efforts, saying they had helped change the fortunes of the northern Kenya diocese.
“I have mobilised hundreds of millions of shillings, more than the money the Christians of this diocese have contributed for their Church, without counting the projects in various parishes and institutions,” he said.
Bishop Joya said he had also faced criticism from those who felt he had delayed taking disciplinary action against priests accused of misconduct. However, he said he chose to act only after obtaining enough evidence.
“I never suspect a priest of any wrongdoing without credible information. Since I have gathered the evidence and identified the priests, I herby announce two things,” he said.
He then announced the suspension of seven priests and introduced a new code of conduct to guide clergy in line with Canon Law.
Under the new rules, priests must be back at their stations by 7pm for evening prayers and cannot spend nights away from their residences without the bishop's approval.
The bishop also prohibited lay people from spending nights or staying in priests' houses or nuns' convents unless they have his permission.
Priests have also been barred from drinking in bars and from leading Mass or other liturgical celebrations while intoxicated or nursing hangovers. They are further prohibited from engaging in private business outside Church work or owning wealth and property that they cannot satisfactorily explain.
The reforms also target the management of church finances. Bishop Joya directed parishes and church institutions to strengthen finance councils, prepare annual budgets, undergo regular audits and promote transparency in the use of church resources.
He also introduced tighter controls on the use of diocesan vehicles and instructed clergy to observe both Church law and the laws of the country.
According to the bishop, the reforms are intended to protect the dignity of the priesthood, improve accountability in the management of church resources and rebuild trust in the Church.
In the pastoral letter, Bishop Joya said the disciplinary action was informed by his assessment of the diocese and the receipt of "credible information" concerning the conduct of some priests and the management of church property.