Pope Appoints Rev. John Mbua Mwandi as Bishop of Kitui Diocese

The Holy Father has appointed Rev. John Mbua Mwandi, until now parish priest of Mulutu, as the new bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kitui in Kenya. 

The appointment was officially announced by the Vatican, ushering in a new chapter for the diocese as it prepares to welcome a bishop bringing decades of pastoral and administrative experience in the Catholic Church. 

Born on 24 September 1970, Bishop-elect Mwandi studied philosophy at Saint Augustine’s Senior Seminary before undertaking theological studies at Saint Matthias Mulumba Senior Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood on 8 December 2001. 

Following his ordination, he served in several parishes across the diocese, beginning as parish vicar in Ikutha in 2002. He later served as parish priest in Miambani from 2001 to 2005, in Ikanga in 2006, and at the Cathedral of Kitui from 2007 to 2011. He also served as dean of the Eastern Deanery from 2005. 

In addition to his pastoral ministry, Bishop-elect Mwandi pursued further studies in administration and management, earning a diploma in Project Management from the Kenya Institute of Management in Nairobi in 2008. 

Over the years, he has held several key leadership positions within the diocese, including diocesan bursar from 2011 to 2020, pro-vicar general from 2016 to 2020, and later vicar general. Until his appointment as bishop, he was serving as parish priest of Mulutu. 

Catholics in the Diocese of Kitui have welcomed the appointment with joy and hope, expressing confidence in the bishop-elect’s experience, leadership, and dedication to the mission of the Church. The episcopal ordination and installation ceremony is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Incorrupt Saints; 7 some well-known examples

Incorrupt body of St. John Vianney

Historically, incorruption has been regarded in Catholic tradition as a possible sign of divine favor, symbolizing a saint’s purity and closeness to God. This belief is often linked to Psalm 15:10, which states: “Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; nor wilt thou give thy holy one to see corruption.” Catholic teaching holds that this passage refers first to Christ and, and to the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose body, according to tradition, never underwent corruption. The verse also points toward the future resurrection promised to all the faithful at the end of time. Within this understanding, the phenomenon of incorrupt saints is viewed by many believers as a spiritual sign and a foretaste of the resurrection of the body.

Throughout Catholic history, certain saints have been associated with what are known as “incorrupt bodies” — bodies that reportedly resisted the normal process of decomposition after death, either fully or partially. While the Catholic Church does not consider incorruptibility as proof of sainthood, such cases have often inspired devotion, curiosity, and spiritual reflection among the faithful.

One of the most famous examples is St. Bernadette of Lourdes, born in France in 1844. She became widely known after witnessing the Marian apparitions at Lourdes in 1858. After living a humble life as a religious sister marked by illness and prayer, her body was exhumed years after her death and found remarkably preserved. Today, her body is displayed at the convent in Nevers, France.

Another well-known figure is St. John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests. Renowned for his holiness, long hours hearing confessions, and spiritual guidance, his body was also found largely incorrupt after his death in 1859 and is preserved in Ars, France.

St. Catherine Labouré, the French nun linked to the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Miraculous Medal, is another saint associated with incorruptibility. Decades after her death in 1876, her body was reportedly found intact and now rests in Paris at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

The body of St. Rita of Cascia, widely known as the patron saint of impossible causes, has been venerated in Cascia, Italy, for centuries and remains notably preserved.

Similarly, St. Padre Pio — the Capuchin friar famous for the stigmata, miracles, and spiritual counsel — showed significant preservation during exhumation despite some natural deterioration. His remains are venerated in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy.

St. Vincent de Paul, founder of the Vincentians and the Daughters of Charity, dedicated his life to serving the poor. Historical reports also describe unusual preservation of his body, which is preserved in Paris.

Another revered saint associated with preserved remains is St. Clare of Assisi, the founder of the Poor Clares and close follower of St. Francis of Assisi. Her remains have long been venerated in Assisi, Italy.

The Catholic Church approaches claims of incorruptibility with caution and scientific scrutiny. In some cases, environmental conditions may contribute to preservation, while in others only parts of the body remain intact. Ultimately, the Church emphasizes that holiness is measured not by the state of the body after death, but by the saint’s life of faith, virtue, and devotion to God.

Burundi: Amateka ya Seminari Nkuru y'i Burasira ihimbaza yubile y’umyaka 75

Seminari Nkuru y'i Burasira yitiriwe Petero Claver Mutagatifu iherereye muri diyosezi Gatolika ya Ngozi. Yashinzwe kuwa 2 Gashyanatare 1952, icyo gihe yakiraga abanyeshuri bo Mu Rwanda no Mu Burundi. Kuva yashingwa, iyi seminari yayobowe n’abapadiri 17.

Aya ni amwe mu mateka yayo, yatangajwe na Radio Maria Burundi. 

Amateka ya Seminari nkuru y'i Burasira (mu Kirundi - Ivomo: Radio Maria Burundi) 

Burasira yavutse mu mwaka w'1951 ku wa 02 ruhuhuma (Gashyantare), ico gihe yakira abanyeshure bavuye mu rwanda no mu Burundi. Mu mwaka w'1952 ku wa 10 Nyakanga iyo seminari yaruguruwe nka seminari ya mbere mu Burundi yitiriwe Umweranda Petero Claver, itanga ivyirwa vya Teolojiya. Mu mwaka w'1953, Burasira yararamuye abasaserdoti ba mbere batiwe. 

Mu mwaka w'1954 ku wa 10 nyakanga, ingoro y'Imana yari yubatse mw'iyo seminari yaciye ihezagirwa. 

Burasira yarakurikiwe n'iseminari ntoyi ya Mureke inyuma y'imyaka 2 mu mwaka w'1953, hanyuma havuka iseminari nkuru y'i Bujumbura yitiriwe Yohani Mariya Vianney mweranda mu mwaka w'1963 inyuma y'ukwikukira kw'Uburundi. Mu mwaka w'1964 naho haca havuka Kaminuza y'igihugu. 

Imyaka 22 yaraheze Burasira yitwa seminaire moyen, mu gihe amaseminari matoyi yari yarahinduwe amashure yisumbuye (Lycée) yobamwo abahungu n'abugeme. 

Mu mwaka w'1985 yarahindutse yitwa Iseminari nkuru yigisha ivyirwa vya Filozofiya, yakira abavuye mw'iseminari ntoyi y'i Mugera n'i Mureke, abanyarwanda ntibari bakiyijamwo.

Burasira yarabaye intangarugero mu guharanira iteka ry'umuntu ku mutima no ku mubiri, mu kuba umunyempuhwe, no mu gutanga ituze mu miryango myinshi ifasha mu mirima. 

Mu mwaka w'1993 gitugutu (Ukwakira), Burasira yarakiriye impunzi z'abantu badasangiye ubwoko, bamaze kwisanga bari hamwe bahujwe n'igisabisho haca haba umuvukano. 

Burasira kuva ibayeho gushika uno musi ni intangarugero mu burimyi mu guca imikobeko abarundi bakahakura ubumenyi, mu bworozi bw'inka nziza zitanga amata aryoshe mu kubika ubwatsi bwa zo no mu gihe c'ici, hamwe n'ubushakashatsi mu guhingura ikinyobwa ca Bourasine mu vyimburwa. 

Ico mwomenya n'uko Vikariya ya Ngozi yavutse mu 1949, umwaka umwe imbere ya Seminari Nkuru y'i Burasira, na yo seminari ntoyi y'i Mureke yo muri Diyoseze Ngozi ikaba izohimbaza jubile y'imyaka 75 mu myaka ibiri iri imbere.

Jesuits rejoice over the ordination of new deacons

With hearts full of gratitude to God, the Jesuit community around the world rejoiced on May 16, 2026, as six Jesuits were ordained to the diaconate in Toronto. 

The sacred ordination was conferred by Frank Cardinal Leo, who presided over the solemn liturgy and called the ordinands to a life of faithful service in the Church. 

Among the newly ordained deacons were Bernard Adika, SJ, and Vincent Mpoza, SJ, both members of the Jesuit Eastern Africa Province.

Their ordination is a source of great joy and thanksgiving for the Province, which celebrated this significant milestone in their vocation and commitment to the Society of Jesus. 

The diaconate marks an important step in the journey toward priesthood and a deeper dedication to the mission of Christ and His Church. Through the laying on of hands and the prayer of ordination, these Jesuits have been configured more closely to Christ the Servant. 

They are now entrusted in a particular way with proclaiming the Gospel, assisting at the altar, preaching the Word of God, and exercising ministries of charity, especially among the poor, the marginalized, and those most in need of hope and compassion. 

For Bernard Adika and Vincent Mpoza, this ordination also reflects the vibrant growth of Jesuit vocations in Eastern Africa and the continued commitment of the Province to form men who are ready to serve wherever the needs of the Church are greatest. 

Their generous response to God’s call stands as a testimony of faith, perseverance, and a desire to devote their lives to the service of the Gospel. 

As the Jesuit community celebrates this joyful occasion, Catholics and friends of the Society of Jesus are invited to join in prayer for these new deacons. 

May the Lord bless them with humility, wisdom, and apostolic zeal, and may their ministry bear abundant fruit as they dedicate themselves to serving Christ and His people with love and fidelity.

This ordination follows the four seminarians’, which  was celebrated on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Rev. Matteo Bertozzi, Rev. Moonjun Alphonse Choi, Rev. Matthew Steven Tuanquin Tulio and Rev. Victor Manuel Valdés, they will take up their new parish assignments in late June 2026.

Pope Leo XIV Mourns Cardinal Paul Emil Tscherrig, died at 79

Pope Leo XIV has expressed deep sorrow following the death of Cardinal Paul Emil Tscherrig, the respected Swiss prelate and longtime Vatican diplomat, who died in Rome on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the age of 79.

In a telegram of condolence addressed to the Cardinal’s family in Valais, Switzerland, the Holy Father extended his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved relatives and to the faithful of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sion, where Cardinal Tscherrig was born and ordained to the priesthood.

Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to Cardinal Tscherrig’s decades of devoted service to the Catholic Church, recalling with gratitude his work as the Pope’s diplomatic representative in numerous countries and his later responsibilities within several departments of the Holy See.

“In all the offices entrusted to him, the late Cardinal acted generously, bearing witness to love of the Church and the Successor of Peter,” the Pope wrote.

The Holy Father also offered fervent prayers for the repose of the Cardinal’s soul, asking God to welcome him into “the light that never goes out.” Entrusting the deceased prelate to the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary, Pope Leo XIV imparted his Apostolic Blessing to all those mourning his sudden passing.

Born on February 3, 1947, in Unterems, Switzerland, Paul Emil Tscherrig was ordained a priest on April 11, 1974, for the Diocese of Sion. He pursued theological studies in Fribourg and Rome and earned a doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Gregorian University.

He entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1978 and contributed to preparations for the international journeys of Pope John Paul II.

In 1996, Pope John Paul II appointed him Titular Archbishop of Voli and Apostolic Nuncio to Burundi. Over the following years, he served as papal representative in the Caribbean, South Korea, Mongolia, the Scandinavian countries, and Argentina, where he developed a close relationship with then-Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

In 2017, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Tscherrig as Apostolic Nuncio to Italy and the Republic of San Marino, making him the first non-Italian to hold that office. In recognition of his distinguished service, Pope Francis created him a cardinal on September 30, 2023, assigning him the title of Cardinal-Deacon of San Giuseppe in Via Trionfale.

In 2024, Cardinal Tscherrig was appointed to the Supervisory Commission of the Institute for the Works of Religion and served as a member of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura. He also participated in the 2025 papal conclave, which elected Pope Leo XIV.

Remembered for his diplomatic skill, humility, and unwavering loyalty to the Church, Cardinal Paul Emil Tscherrig leaves behind a lasting legacy of faithful service to the Holy See and the universal Catholic Church.

Musanze: Mass sports play role in fostering collaboration

Community sports continue to play an important role in promoting good health, strengthening social cohesion and fostering collaboration among citizens and institutions.

This morning, on May 10, 2025, the Chairperson of the Musanze District Council, Mr. Michel Ndayambaje together with members of the District Executive Committee, joined residents in the mass sports activities held in Musanze City.

Participants engaged in a variety of physical exercises, including running, aerobics, and other fitness activities aimed at promoting healthy living.

Among those who took part were the Executive Director of  Ferwacy Mr. Mugabe David, representatives from LWD Cycling Team, Rwanda Police, Ruhengeri Hospital, and the representative of Rwand Investigation Bureau in Musanze District.

In partnership with the hospital, residents were also screened for non-communicable diseases and received medical advice on how to better care for their health and prevent such illnesses.

The Diocese of Rome, joyful to welcome four new bishops

On May 2, 2026, Pope Leo XIV, Bishop of the Diocese of Rome, ordains four priests as auxiliary bishops, urging them to remain available to all people, proclaiming God’s closeness and to rekindle hope.

Those new auxiliary bishops are Stefano Sparapani, Alessandro Zenobbi, Andrea Carlevale, and Marco Valenti, all were born in Rome. 

In his homely, as quoted from Vatican News; the Pope the Pope addressed the new auxiliary bishops as “dear brothers” and emphasized that, together with the Cardinal Vicar, they would help him, the Bishop of Rome, “to be for the Roman people an image of the Good Shepherd and to watch over the charity of the whole holy People of God spread throughout the world.” 

Pope Leo also underscored the importance of being available to everyone: “Do not let yourselves be searched after; rather, let yourselves be found”. “Ensure that priests, deacons, religious sisters and brothers, as well as lay people engaged in apostolic work, never feel alone,” the Pope added. 

A brief Curriculum vita of new bishops

On February 25, 2026, The Holy Father has appointed the following as auxiliary bishops of Rome, Italy: the Reverend Stefano Sparapani, of the clergy of Rome, parish priest of San Basilio and episcopal vicar for the North Sector of the city assigning him the titular see of Bisenzio; the Reverend Alessandro Zenobbi, of the clergy of Rome, parish priest of Santa Lucia and episcopal vicar for the West Sector, assigning him the titular see of Biccari; the Reverend Andrea Carlevale, of the clergy of Rome, parish priest of San Giovanni Battista de Rossi, assigning him the titular see of Atella; and the Reverend Marco Valenti, of the clergy of Rome, parish priest of Trasfigurazione di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo, assigning him the titular see of Arpi. 

Msgr. Stefano Sparapani was born in Rome on 24 July 1956 and was ordained a priest for the diocese of Rome on 4 October 1991. Since since 2025, he was episcopal vicar for the North Sector of Rome. He did his specialist studies in moral theology at the Alphonsian Academy of Rome. 

Msgr. Alessandro Zenobbi was born on 10 November 1969 in Rome, and ordained a priest for the diocese of Rome on 28 April 1996. Since 2025, he was episcopal vicar for the West Sector of Rome. 

Msgr. Andrea Carlevale was born in Rome on 8 April 1971. He was ordained a priest for the diocese of Rome on 3 May 1998. Since 2025 he has served as parish priest of San Giovanni Battista de Rossi in the Appio-Latino area.

Msgr. Marco Valenti was born on 28 February 1961 in Cantalupo in Sabina, province of Rieti and diocese of Sabina-Poggio Mirteto. He was ordained a priest for the diocese of Rome on 26 April 1986. Since 2024 he has served as parish priest of Trasfigurazione di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo.

What a Christian benefit from a good confession?

Pope Francis hears confession during a lent penence service, March 17,2023
in Rome Parish of st Mary of Graces at Trionfale (Image: Catholic Courier)

Confession, also known as the Sacrament of Reconciliation, remains one of the most powerful spiritual practices for Christians seeking renewal, healing, and a deeper relationship with God.

Far from being a mere ritual, a good confession brings profound personal and spiritual benefits that transform both the heart and the soul. 

Here are the 11 key benefits a Christian receives from a good confession: 

At its core, confession offers forgiveness and absolution of sins. Through sincere repentance and honest acknowledgment of wrongdoing, individuals receive God’s mercy. This act lifts the burden of guilt and restores inner peace, allowing one to start anew with a clean conscience.

Another key benefit is reconciliation with God. Sin creates a separation from God, but confession bridges that gap. It re-establishes a personal connection with Him, renewing faith and strengthening trust in His love and compassion. 

Confession also fosters reconciliation with the Church. Since sin affects not only the individual but also the wider community, seeking forgiveness restores unity within the body of believers. It reminds individuals that they are not alone on their spiritual journey. 

A good confession contributes to the formation of conscience. Regular reflection on one’s actions helps develop a clearer sense of right and wrong. Over time, this awareness guides better decision-making and encourages a more virtuous life. 

Spiritually, confession brings healing through Christ. Just as physical wounds require treatment, spiritual wounds need healing. Confession provides that healing by addressing the root causes of sin and offering grace to overcome them. 

It also plays a vital role in fighting against evil tendencies. By recognizing personal weaknesses and confessing them, individuals become more vigilant and better equipped to resist temptation in the future. 

Through this sacrament, believers experience spiritual strengthening of the soul. Grace received in confession empowers them to face life’s challenges with renewed courage and resilience. 

Confession further helps in escaping eternal condemnation. By turning away from sin and seeking forgiveness, individuals align themselves with God’s will and move toward eternal life. Another important benefit is the restoration of God’s grace. Sin diminishes the grace within the soul, but confession restores it, enabling individuals to live more fully in God’s presence. 

Moreover, confession leads to the transformation of the heart. It inspires genuine change, encouraging humility, compassion, and a sincere desire to live according to God’s teachings.

Finally, it promotes progress in the spiritual life. Regular confession helps believers grow steadily in holiness, deepening their relationship with God and guiding them toward a more meaningful and faithful life.  

In a world filled with challenges and moral struggles, a good confession remains a source of hope, renewal, and spiritual strength. It is not just about admitting faults—it is about embracing transformation and walking forward with grace. (Thanks to @Vitus_osst X handle)