Our History

Claretian Presence in East Africa

Kenya:

The general government of the Claretians wanted to start missions in East Africa. The request was made to the English speaking organisms of the congregation. The Nigerian province responded quickly. The three Claretian Missionaries from the Nigeria came to Kenya in the year 1991 at the invitation of Archbishop John Njenga of Mombasa. The first missionaries who opened the Claretian mission were Fr. Innocent Indoziem, Fr. Julius Ohiege and Fr. Patrick Ekeogu. For few months they stayed with the diocesan priests in Chamgamwe and Kongowea parishes to learn the language and the culture of the people. In January 1992 the Claretian Missionaries were entrusted with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Shanzu which was run by the Holy Ghost Fathers. Later in the same year one of the substations of Shanzu parish, Holy Family Kiembeni parish which had become a parish in the year 1991, was given to the Claretians.

The Asian Claretian inter provincial council meeting was convened by Fr. Aquilino Bocos, the superior general, on the 4^th February 1993 at the provincial house of Bangalore, India. In the meeting he requested the Indian Claretian organisms to take up missions in East Africa. The province of Chennai selected Tanzania. Bangalore province opted for Uganda.

Tanzania:

The Claretians missionaries from the province of Chennai came to the diocese of Musoma in the year 1994. Fr. Gaspar Masilamani was the first missionary from Chennai who arrived in Tanzania and followed by Fr. Arul Jesu Robin. They were entrusted with the Makoko Laity Formation Centre of the diocese in the year 1995. First formation house in East Africa with six East Africans as postulants was inaugurated in Makoko centre Musoma in 1998.

Uganda:

26^th of October 1995 marked the arrival of the Claretians in Uganda. Fr. Joy Mampillikunnel and Fr. Mathew Mundackal from the Province of Bangalore came to the diocese of Jinja. After little more than a year of stay with the diocesan priests the Claretians were entrusted with St Gonzaga Catechetical Training Centre of the diocese in the month of January 1997. In the year 1999 the East African Claretian Novitiate was started with six East African Novices at Nalufanya in Jinja Diocese.