Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has (7 March 2003) appointed Bishop of Kericho, Kenya, Reverend Father Emmanuel Okombo, of the Bungoma diocesan clergy.
The Bishop elect was born on 29 November 1942 in the territory of what today is Bungoma diocese. He was ordained a priest on 30 November 1972 for the diocese of Kisumu. He asked to be transferred to the diocese of Bungoma when was created in April 1987. He studied in Kenya and in the United States for a degree in economic studies. Since his ordination he has been: assistant priest; rector of the diocesan minor seminary; vicar general for the diocese of Bungoma and parish priest of the cathedral.
Kericho diocese (1995) is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Nairobi. It has an area of 4,948 sq. km., and a population of 1,480,000. There are 220,623 Catholics gathered in 18 parishes, assisted by 39 priests (19 diocesan and 20 missionary), 24 Brothers, 70 women religious and there are 25 major seminarians. In the diocese there is also a Trappist Abbey and Monastery. (Fides Service 22/3/2003 EM lines 14 Words: 179)