A central Philippine archdiocese has adopted its first mission parish in Africa, particularly in Kenya.
The Archdiocese of Jaro will take pastoral care of the Holy Family Parish in Turkana town’s Kaaleng village, which was erected by the Diocese of Lodwar on November 8.
Bishop Dominic Kimengich, apostolic administrator of Lodwar, led the celebration along with Archbishop Jose Lazo of Jaro.
Also present were Consul General Gary Auxilian of the Philippine Embassy in Kenya and the Filipino mission team in Turkana, located near the country’s border with Ethiopia and South Sudan.
The new mission parish will be administered by two priests from Jaro — Peter John Guarin and Alfone Marie Berbegal.
The priests will be working with three nuns from the Filipino congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Lord’s Table.
Two other priests from the Diocese of San Jose de Antique are serving at Kaikor mission, also in the Lodwar diocese.
In 2019, the archdiocese also sent two of its priests to Kaaleng for mission and to prepare for the erection of the new parish.
There are about 50 Filipino missionaries in Kenya who are assigned in remote and underprivileged areas.
