Catholic faithful celebrate new local bishop

Father Michael Otieno Odiwa (pictured) has been appointed the new bishop of Homa Bay Diocese.

Following his appointment by Pope Francis on Sunday, Odiwa will be the third bishop of the diocese since its inception 27 years ago. 

Odiwa was born on November 11, 1962, in Sori, Karungu in Migori County under the current Kiranda Parish and baptised in 1963 at Migori Parish.

The Homa Bay Diocese encompasses all Catholic churches in Homa Bay and Migori counties.

Yesterday, locals expressed joy over Odiwa’s appointment.

Homa Bay Vicar General Fr Francis Leso described Odiwa as a person who understands the diocese well.

Leso is the one who succeeded Odiwa as the area Vicar General in 2015.

He said Odiwa’s service in many parishes in the diocese gave him enough understanding of the area.

“The bishop-elect has served many in parishes here as a priest. We have received the news of his appointment with joy,” Leso said.

Maurice Kowaka, a liturgy assistant at Homa Bay Cathedral Church said they expect more spiritual and institutional development during the bishop-elect's era.

Kowaka said Odiwa will work hard towards enhancing development as he hails from the diocese.

“Our main expectation is spiritual development. However, institutional development is also important because the Catholic Church is known for the development of various institutions, which enhance development in society. We expect the bishop-elect to enhance them because he is a son of the soil,” he said.

Odiwa succeeds Rev Philip Anyolo, who left the diocese in January this year on promotion to become the Archbishop of Kisumu Archdiocese.

Odiwa’s appointment letter was sent to the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops by the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya, His Excellency Archbishop Hubertus Van Megen.

Odiwa also served as Parish Priest of the Homa Bay Cathedral. He has worked in Asumbi, Rakwaro, Ng’iya and Nyalieng’a parishes as well as St John’s Seminary Rakwaro as a tutor.

The bishop-elect studied Doctorate in Canon Law from Urbaniana University, Rome between 2000 and 2005.

He studied Spirituality at St John’s Senior Seminary Molo in 1986, Philosophy at St Augustine’s Senior Seminary Mabanga from 1987 to 1988 and Theology at St Matthias Mulumba Kalemba Tindinyo from 1989 to 1992.

Odiwa is currently working at the Archdiocese of Adelaide, South Australia as an assistant Parish Priest and in-charge of Italian speaking community of the Annunciation Church Hectorville Parish as well as a defender of Bond Tribunal of the province of Adelaide South Australia and Northern Territories.

He is expected to be ordained as a bishop within three months from the date of his appointment