The Archdiocese of Jaro in Iloilo has adopted its first mission parish in Africa, particularly in Kenya.
CBCP News said the archdiocese will now 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.
Jaro Archbishop Jose Lazo and apostolic administrator of Lodwar Bishop Dominic Kimengich were present in the celebration.
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.
It was in 2019 when the archdiocese sent two of its priests to Kaaleng for mission and to prepare for the erection of the new parish.
The new mission parish will be administered by Jaro priests Fr. Peter John Guarin and Fr. 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 also serving at Kaikor mission, also in the Lodwar diocese.
There are around 50 Filipino missionaries in Kenya who are assigned in remote and underprivileged areas.