Joshua Bennett
The Catholic Church in Kenya is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, with over 18 million baptised Catholics in the country. Becoming a Catholic priest in Kenya involves a similar process to other countries. Candidates must be male, unmarried, and physically and emotionally healthy, with a good level of education. They must also demonstrate human, intellectual, spiritual, and pastoral qualities. The process of becoming a priest typically involves several stages, including seminary school, where students study a range of subjects, including philosophy, theology, and church history. After completing their studies, candidates are ordained as deacons and then priests.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Religion | Catholic |
| Location | Kenya |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 18-30 years old |
| Education | Secondary School Certificate of grade C+ and above or Sufficient University or College qualifications |
| Training | Spiritan House of Formation, Nairobi |
| Duration | 5 stages, including a 2-year Period of Missionary Experience |
| Leadership | Kenyan Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Pope in the Vatican City |
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What You'll Learn
Get involved at your parish
To become a Catholic priest in Kenya, it is important to get involved and actively participate in your parish community. Here are some ways to get involved and deepen your engagement with your local parish:
Volunteer: Look for opportunities to volunteer and serve within the parish. This could include assisting with liturgical duties, such as becoming an altar server or a lector, who proclaims the Scripture readings during Mass. You could also offer your time and skills to various parish committees or social outreach initiatives, such as teaching catechism classes, organising charitable events, or participating in parish council meetings. By volunteering, you will not only contribute to the life of the parish but also develop valuable skills and form meaningful connections with fellow parishioners.
Join Parish Groups: Become an active member of parish groups or ministries that align with your interests and passions. Many parishes have youth groups, choirs, prayer groups, or social justice committees. By joining these groups, you can develop your talents, foster your spiritual growth, and build community within the parish. These groups often provide opportunities for fellowship, faith formation, and service, allowing you to explore and live out your faith alongside like-minded individuals.
Attend Parish Events: Participate in the various events and activities organised by your parish. This could include attending Mass regularly, as well as taking part in special liturgical celebrations, devotional services, or parish festivals. Parishes often hold retreats, bible study groups, sacramental preparation programmes, and social gatherings. By attending these events, you will deepen your spiritual life, expand your knowledge of the faith, and forge stronger bonds with your parish community.
Support Parish Initiatives: Be proactive in supporting the initiatives and projects undertaken by your parish. This may involve fundraising for a new church building or contributing to a specific cause championed by the parish. You could also offer your professional skills or expertise to assist with administrative tasks, financial planning, or communication efforts. By contributing your time and talents, you will not only enhance the life of the parish but also ensure the sustainable growth and development of your faith community.
Collaborate with Other Parishes: Look for opportunities to collaborate and build relationships with neighbouring parishes. This could involve participating in inter-parish events, joint social action initiatives, or regional youth programmes. By working together with other Catholic communities, you will broaden your perspective, foster a sense of unity within the wider Church, and create meaningful connections that extend beyond your own parish boundaries.
By actively engaging in parish life, you will not only deepen your own faith but also contribute to the vibrant Catholic community in Kenya. Getting involved at your parish provides opportunities for service, fellowship, and spiritual growth, all of which are integral to the journey towards becoming a Catholic priest.
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Attend college
To become a Catholic priest in Kenya, you must first obtain sufficient college qualifications. The Holy Ghost Fathers in Kenya, also known as the Spiritans, require candidates to have at least a secondary school certificate of grade C+ or higher, or sufficient college qualifications.
The Spiritan House of Formation in Nairobi, founded in the 1970s, serves as the formation house for the Union of Circumscriptions of Eastern Africa (UCEAF). It is a scholasticate, with students from across Eastern Africa and beyond, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Madagascar. An average of 40 scholastics pass through the Spiritan House each year, and it has produced over 250 missionaries since its inception.
The scholasticate enables young professed members to continue their initial formation and strengthen their commitment to the Spiritan religious missionary vocation. This period is crucial for growth and awareness of their chosen path.
After completing their studies at the scholasticate, candidates enter the fourth stage, known as the Period of Missionary Experience (PME). This stage lasts two years and is completed in a transcultural mission situation, where the Spiritans are actively working. This period is designed to mirror the internships or apprenticeships that many young people undertake before full-time employment.
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Enrol in seminary school
To become a Catholic priest in Kenya, you must enrol in a seminary school. The Catholic Church in Kenya is under the spiritual leadership of the Kenyan Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Pope in the Vatican City. One such seminary school is the Spiritan House of Formation in Nairobi, founded in the 1970s as the formation house for the second cycle of formation for the Eastern African region. Today, it is one of the biggest formation houses, with an average of 40 scholastics a year. The scholastics come from diverse backgrounds, with students from over 12 different nationalities across Africa and Asia.
To enrol in a seminary school in Kenya, you must meet certain requirements. Firstly, you must be a baptised Catholic male between the ages of 18 and 30 years old. You must also be in good physical and emotional health and have completed secondary school with a grade of C+ or above, or have sufficient university or college qualifications.
Once you have applied, the Director of Vocations will guide you in your discernment and help you prepare for the Spiritan formation. The first stage of formation is known as the Postulancy stage, where candidates are invited to come and see the seminary and decide if it is the right path for them. This is followed by a one-year programme in Kilimambogo.
After completing the initial stages, the candidate becomes a member of the Spiritan family by professing the three vows. The fourth stage is the Period of Missionary Experience (PME), which usually takes two years. During this time, the candidate will gain practical experience by working in a transcultural mission situation where Spiritans are actively working. This stage is designed to mirror the real-world experience of young people who undertake internships or apprenticeships before gaining full-time employment.
Overall, enrolling in a seminary school in Kenya involves meeting the necessary requirements, undergoing spiritual guidance, and progressing through various stages of formation and practical experience.
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Diocesan vs religious priests
There are two types of Catholic priests: diocesan priests and religious order priests. A diocesan priest is a secular priest who belongs to the body of priests, called the presbyterate, of a local diocese, which is a particular territory within a state or country. They are considered employees of the diocese and receive salaries, benefits, and inheritances. They report to their bishop, who acts as their boss, and can be allowed to work other jobs and own property. Diocesan priests are most often assigned to a parish by the bishop and live and work in that area, with their main focus being the needs of those in their parish. Their main work involves preaching the Gospel, offering Mass, anointing the sick and dying, baptizing, celebrating marriages, burying the dead, and consoling those in need. Like diocesan priests, religious priests also vow chastity, which means they will not marry.
However, religious order priests differ from diocesan priests in that they join an order and take three solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, also called the "evangelical counsels," before ordination. They choose a religious community based on its lifestyle or charism and mission, and they live in community with each other instead of among people in a parish. While they vow poverty, they still receive an allowance from the order and have their basic needs, such as lodging, food, healthcare, and clothing, provided for. They vow obedience to their religious superior, who may ask them to minister far away or take on a specific role in the community. Religious communities engage in various types of work for the Church and humanity, including education, service to the sick or poor, and foreign missions.
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Formation during seminary
The path to becoming a Catholic father in Kenya involves a rigorous formation process during seminary, which is a period of spiritual, academic, and pastoral training. This formation is essential for those called to serve God and the Church as priests. Here is an overview of what this formation might entail:
Academic Studies
Seminarians will engage in a well-rounded academic curriculum that includes philosophical and theological studies. This intellectual formation provides a strong foundation for understanding Catholic doctrine, ethics, and history. It also equips future priests with the knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary for their ministry.
Spiritual Development
Spiritual formation is at the heart of seminary life. Seminarians are guided to deepen their relationship with God through prayer, meditation, and spiritual retreats. They are encouraged to cultivate virtues such as humility, chastity, obedience, and poverty. Regular participation in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, is central to their spiritual growth.
Pastoral Training
Future priests also undergo pastoral formation, which prepares them for the practical aspects of their ministry. This includes learning homiletic skills for preaching, pastoral counselling, and liturgical celebration. They may have opportunities to serve in parishes, hospitals, schools, or other social service settings, allowing them to interact with people and develop their pastoral care skills.
Community Life
Seminary life is often characterised by a strong sense of community. Seminarians live, pray, and study together, fostering brotherhood and mutual support. This community life mirrors the communal aspect of religious life and helps develop interpersonal skills, conflict resolution abilities, and a sense of shared mission.
Human Formation
Human formation aims to develop the seminarian's character and emotional maturity. This includes self-reflection, emotional intelligence, and the ability to relate to others with empathy and compassion. Human formation ensures that future priests can effectively serve and lead their congregations with authenticity and integrity.
Apostolic Experience
During their formation, seminarians may also participate in apostolic experiences, which involve serving in mission work or other Church-related activities. This provides them with a broader perspective of the Church's global presence and allows them to apply their skills and knowledge in real-world settings.
The duration of seminary formation can vary, but it generally involves several years of dedicated study, spiritual practice, and practical training. This comprehensive formation process ensures that those called to the priesthood in Kenya are well-prepared to serve God's people and lead them in their faith journey.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church in Kenya is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Kenyan Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Pope in the Vatican City. There are over 18 million baptised Catholics in Kenya, which is nearly 40% of the country's population.
To become a Catholic priest in Kenya, one must be a baptised Catholic male between the ages of 18 and 30, with a secondary School Certificate of grade C+ and above, or sufficient University or College qualifications. The candidate must apply to join the Congregation, after which the Director of Vocations will guide them through their desire and help in their discernment. The candidate will then enter the Spiritan House of Formation, where they will continue their initial formation and strengthen their awareness and commitment to the Spiritan religious missionary vocation.
The Catholic Church hierarchy in Kenya includes the Pope, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, among other positions. As of 2020, there were over 3,644 priests working across more than 1,100 parishes in Kenya.
