Let’s Dedicate “whatever we have” to Building God’s Kingdom: Catholic Bishop in Kenya at Priest’s Funeral Mass

“Fr. Kamiri truly fulfilled this call,” the Kenyan Catholic Bishop said, and added, “While we are deeply saddened and grieve his passing, we take comfort in the life of faith he led.”

He said, “Each of us was created by God and given a task to fulfill. We are not here just to enjoy ourselves and do whatever we please. If you are just here for yourself, to make yourself happy, then your life has no meaning. You will be like someone who is already dead.”

“We are here on a mission. God has given us tasks, responsibilities, and duties to fulfill and accomplish. When that work that God gave us is done, He takes us. And the work of our beloved Priest, Fr. Vincent Kamiri, is now done,” Bishop Kamau said.

He continued, “The responsibility and the mission God gave us might end. But the question is not how many years; it is about the faithfulness and dedication to the work God has given us. Fidelity and commitment count the most. Our task now is to live for and serve Christ.”

The Kenyan Auxiliary Bishop since his Episcopal Consecration in March 2000 urged the people of God to embrace the virtue of generosity. He recalled with appreciation the late Fr. Kamiri’s acts of generosity among slum dwellers in Nairobi Eastlands, saying, “He was able to support the people of Mukuru slums by raising funds to buy them Bibles and also by going there to teach them.”

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He also recognized the late Catholic Priest’s virtue of humility and his ability to use the various gifts of the Holy Spirit in his Priestly service.

“As we know, he was a member of the Franciscan Third Order, and he was not ashamed to wear their garments even though he was a Diocesan Priest. He would still wear the robes of the Franciscan Third Order; he was dedicated,” Bishop Kamau said about the late Fr. Kamiri ahead of his being laid to rest at St. Austin’s cemetery.

According to the Kenyan Catholic Bishop, “If one has the gift of prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if the gift of service, let him serve; if teaching, let him teach; if leadership, let him govern diligently. And he who shows mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”

Sabrine Amboka is a Kenyan journalist with a passion for Catholic church communication. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from St. Paul's University in Kenya.