40 years in a religious ministry left Bishop in mixed thought following health challenges
By Khalwale James Lunalo
Nov 25, 2012, Kakamega, Kenya.
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| Rite Reverent Bishop Philip Sulumeti after receiving an approved resignation letter from the holy Pope: Picture by Khalwale James Lunalo |
The Holy Pope Benedict XVI has finally confirmed the resignation of the Kakamega Catholic diocese Bishop, Rt. Rev. Philip Sulumeti.
Speaking to reporters at the Bishop's Tam in Kakamega, Sulumeti attributed his resignation application to his ill-fated health that has posed several administrative challenges.
The Bishop confirmed having had three life threatening operation two of them being in Rome and South Africa, which he said did not give him chance to serve his flock better to his expectations.
"But the pope rejected my application three times saying it is sometimes good to have a sickly Bishop leading'' said Sulumeti after breaking the news of his resignation approval.
Bishop Sulumeti has had his call as a catholic Shepherd in the Bishop's position for 40 years. Since his veneration way back in early 1970's, Bishop Sulumeti becomes one among the fewest longest serving bishops in the Catholic church globally.
Six of his early years as a bishop were consumed in the now Arch-diocese of Kisumu before transfer to Kakamega Diocese as the first Bishop of the region.
In the 34 years as bishop of Kakamega Catholic diocese, the Bishop has mobilized into an ordination of 107 priests, several religious men and women besides having multiplied parishes in the diocese from less than 10 in 1976 to 40 in 2012.
In the catholic church, a Pope is allowed to approve the resignation of a Bishop for illness or incapacity of whichever order under the Canon Law number 401.2 about Bishops.
