By Osinde Obare
Rebel Catholic priest Godfrey Shiundu will be ordained bishop of the Reformed Catholic Church (RCC) on Sunday.
Father Shiundu was excommunicated from the Catholic Church in 2004 after he allegedly impregnated a nun when he served in West Pokot District.
Bishop Maurice Crowley of the Diocese of Kitale urged members of the Catholic Church to boycott the function.
"It has no connection with our church and I forbid Catholics from attending the function or involving themselves the church’s activities," said Crowley.
Father Godfrey Shiundu (left) with Reformed Catholic Church Archbishop Karl Raymond Rodig during a recent interview with The Standard in Kakamega. [PHOTO: Benjamin Sakwa/STANDARD]
The RCC is a US-based Catholic splinter group that allows its clergy to marry and openly accepts polygamy as opposed to the Catholic Church.
Shiundu denied claims that he impregnated the nun, Ms Stella Nangila, but surprised many when he they later tied the knot in 2006 at a lavish wedding presided by RCC Archbishop Dr Karl Rodig.
Rodig flew in from Germany to marry the couple at the Kitale ASK showground, only a kilometre away from Kitale’s main Catholic Church Cathedral.
Ten bulls and several goats were slaughtered for more than 1,000 guests who attended the celebrations.
Rodig jetted in last Sunday to conduct the ordination ceremony to be held at same ground where Shiundu’s wedding took place.
New sect
But Crowley, who heads the Kitale Immaculate Heart Cathedral, was not amused by what he calls this "new sect". He confirmed he had lost another priest Peter Chege, who was in-charge of Cherengani Parish to RCC. But he dismissed claims of a mass exodus of priests and church members to the rival church.
Shiundu told The Standard five priests had joined RCC and would be ordained in Kisumu on Saturday.
Among them is Mr Francis Nyawir, who was ex-communicated from the church after he returned to St Aquinas Major Seminary in Nairobi to pursue theological studies.
"Our church is growing. We have more than 10,000 followers and more are joining," said Shiundu.