Pope Leo XIV Appoints Kenyan Bishop to New Role at Vatican
Pope Leo XIV has made a significant move by appointing Willybard Kitogho Lagho, a Kenyan Bishop from the Catholic Diocese of Malindi, to the Vatican Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.
This announcement came out on Friday, July 4, and Lagho is set to become part of one of the key administrative groups within the Roman Curia.
The Roman Curia plays a vital role in helping the Pope manage the Catholic Church’s affairs.
At present, Lagho is also the Chairperson of the Commission for Inter-religious Dialogue and Ecumenism (CIRDE) at the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB).
He also serves as the Chairman of the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK), which is a national organization dedicated to fostering harmony among the various religious communities in Kenya.
Dicasteries are the main departments within the Roman Curia, each focusing on a specific area of expertise. One such dicastery is the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, which aims to promote understanding, respect, and collaboration between Catholics and those who follow other non-Christian faiths.
This Dicastery is committed to ensuring that dialogue with adherents of other religions happens in a spirit of listening, appreciation, and respect.
It encourages different types of relationships with these communities, so that together, they can promote peace, freedom, social justice, the protection of our environment, and uphold spiritual and moral values.
In carrying out its mission, the Dicastery actively promotes a genuine quest for God among all people through various means, including action, theological discussions, and spiritual experiences.
It organizes timely studies and conferences to foster mutual understanding and respect, allowing for the growth of human dignity and the spiritual and moral wealth of individuals.
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Additionally, the Dicastery plays a vital role in supporting diocesan and eparchial Bishops in training those involved in interreligious dialogue. It also provides specialized personnel to engage with the diverse religious traditions it seeks to connect with.
To strengthen relationships with followers of different faiths, the Dicastery establishes Commissions under the guidance of the Prefect, collaborating with relevant Episcopal Conferences and the hierarchical structures of the Eastern Churches, including the Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims.
In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Dicastery consults with other dicasteries, such as the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, and, when necessary, with the Dicasteries for the Eastern Churches and Evangelization.
When it comes to its work, the Dicastery makes sure to consult with the local Churches, Episcopal Conferences, and their regional and continental groups, as well as the hierarchical structures of the Eastern Churches to plan its initiatives effectively.
Bishop Lagho was born on March 23, 1958, and he took on the role of deacon in Mombasa on December 21, 1985. He then became a priest on April 25, 1987, also in Mombasa. On December 28, 2020, Lagho was appointed as the Bishop of Malindi, and he was ordained a year later on March 19.
With his extensive experience in interfaith engagement, Lagho is expected to make a significant impact, drawing from his previous roles in this area right here in Kenya.
Pope Leo XIV Appoints Kenyan Bishop to New Role at Vatican
