Vatican appointed coordinator of the beatification arrives in Nyeri

Vatican Postulator and the Popes Gottardo Pasqualetti (left) is welcomed to the Nyeri Cathedral by the Archdioscese of Nyeri Postulator Father Peter Githinji. [PHOTO: MOSESAMMY/STANDARD]

The priest appointed by the Vatican to guide beatification of Sister Irene ‘Nyaatha’ Stefani arrived in Nyeri yesterday morning.

Reverend Gottardo Pasqualetti, who holds the title postulator, said the event was for all Kenyans, regardless of their denominational faith.

A postulator is the person who guides a cause for beatification or canonisation through the judicial processes required by the Roman Catholic Church. Pasqualetti, who has been sent by the Vatican — the headquarters of the Catholic Church — arrived on Wednesday at 6pm and was received by Consolata missionaries heads and heads of the Church in the country, before he travelled to Nyeri yesterday morning.

Pasqualetti will inspect and give approval to various arrangements being made in Nyeri, ahead of the beatification which will take place next week at Gikondi in Mukurweini, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology and St Mary’s Boys Secondary School and Our lady of Consolata Cathedral in Nyeri town.

Father Peter Githinji, the pontifical appointee coordinating the event, said the Postulator will also be charged with approving a draft programme of the three-day event.

“I came to inspect ongoing arrangements, including the sarcophagus where the relics of the nun will be preserved at the Cathedral,” said Rev Pasqualetti.

Pasqualetti will be in the country for two days, before he jets back to Vatican to brief the Pope on the progress of the mega event.

He said more than 300 missionaries from Italy have confirmed their attendance, while Kenyans are also expected to throng the event in huge numbers.

“Sister Nyaatha served all people of Gikondi with dedication and without discriminating. This is the first beatification to take place in Africa,” he said.

“We are also expecting a huge number of people from Anfo area in Bressia, where the late nun was born and brought up before she joined Consolata missionaries and was sent to Kenya,” he said.

He said most of the missionaries will come from some homes and missionaries congregations found in Italy.

Pasqualetti was accompanied by his colleague in Kenya, Father Githinji and Consolata Sisters regional Superior, Sister Serafina Sergi.