Catholic priest weds in defiance

Father Titus Kimathi and his bride Rhoda Wanja during their wedding in Nyeri on Saturday. They tied the knot at the Renewed Universal Catholic Church. Photo/JOSEPH KANYI

What you need to know:

  • The splinter group’s regional head, Bishop Peter Njogu Kibutu, presided over the ceremony attended by family members of the bride and groom, friends and church followers.
  • Pope Francis on Friday directed the Vatican to act decisively against sex abuse cases and take measures against priest accused of being paedophiles, saying, the Catholic Church’s credibility was on the line.

Nyeri residents were Sunday treated to a rare wedding of a Catholic priest in a colourful ceremony the town.

Father Titus Kimathi of Nkubu parish, Meru County, married his girlfriend Rhoda Wanja at a ceremony at the Renewed Universal Catholic Church headquarters in Ruring’u, Nyeri Town.

The church is a splinter group of the Catholic Church and claims to have a membership of more than 20 priests, who have quit the church to protest the celibacy rule that forbids them from marrying.

Freedom to marry

The splinter group’s regional head, Bishop Peter Njogu Kibutu, presided over the ceremony attended by family members of the bride and groom, friends and church followers.

The ceremony was similar to the one conducted by the Catholic Church.

In an interview with the Nation, Bishop Kibutu called upon Pope Francis to end the celibacy rule to save the reputation of the Catholic Church.

He said the church must review the “damaging” law and give priests the freedom to marry.

“We are only questioning the system of mandatory celibacy which encourages hypocrisy ,” said Bishop Kibutu.

The Bishop is the head of Mt Kenya Diocese of the splinter church, which covers Nyeri, Meru, Nakuru and parts of the Nairobi region.

Bishop Kibutu said they acknowledged celibacy as a gift from God, but they do not want to hide behind it and then shame the church.

“It is time for change especially with the child abuses allegations witnessed. The cases are due to the law on mandatory celibacy,” he added.

Pope Francis on Friday directed the Vatican to act decisively against sex abuse cases and take measures against priest accused of being paedophiles, saying, the Catholic Church’s credibility was on the line.

“Marriage will reduce the scandals affecting the church,” Bishop Kibutu stated.

The cleric who quit the Catholic Church some years back and joined the splinter group led by the controversial Zambian cleric Emmanuel Milingo, said it was unfair to allow married Anglican clergy to be ordained as Catholic priests, while maintaining the celibacy rule for those joining priesthood.

Archbishop Milingo hit global headlines when he renounced celibacy and married Maria Sung in 2001. He was excommunicated as a result.

In April 2011, Bishop Kibutu was consecrated as a Bishop of the Renewed Universal Catholic Church by Archbishop Milingo in Nyeri. He is married with three children.

Sunday’s event was the first wedding ceremony he has conducted for a priest.