Paul Kariuki Njiru

Paul Kariuki Njiru
Bishop of Wote
Church	Roman Catholic Church
Archdiocese	Nairobi
Appointed	22 July 2023
Installed	30 September 2023
Previous post(s)	Bishop of Embu, Kenya (2009–2023)
Orders
Ordination	3 January 1993
Consecration	25 July 2009 by Cardinal John Njue
Rank	Bishop
Personal details
Born	Paul Kariuki Njiru (1963-03-11) March 11, 1963 (age 61) Kathunguri, Embu Diocese, Kenya

Styles of Paul Kariuki Njiru
Reference style
Religious style	Bishop

Paul Kariuki Njiru is a Roman Catholic prelate in Kenya, who was installed as the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wote, Kenya on 30 September 2023. Prior to his appointment as Bishop of Wote, he served as the Bishop of the Diocese of Embu, Kenya from 25 July 2009 until 22 July 2023. He was appointed bishop on 9 May 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI.[1]

Early life and education

He was born on 11 March 1963 in Kathunguri, Embu County, in the Diocese of Embu. He studied at St. Joseph's Seminary, Molo and then at St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Nairobi.[1]

In 1991 the Pontifical Urban University awarded him a Bachelor's degree for his studies while in Kenya. Later, having studied for six years in Rome, he was awarded a Master of Sacred Theology (STL) in 1999. In 2002, he graduated with a Doctor of Sacred Theology (STD) in Biblical Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, also in Rome.[2]

Priesthood

He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Embu on 3 January 1993. As a parish priest, he worked in Kairuri Parish and served as a diocesan youth chaplain. He was the education secretary for Catholic schools in Embu Diocese.[1][2]

Bishop of Embu

On 9 May 2009 Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Embu. He was ordained and installed on 25 July 2009 by Cardinal John Cardinal Njue, Archbishop of Nairobi assisted by Peter Joseph Kairo, Archbishop of Nyeri, and Anthony Muheria, Bishop of Kitui.[1]

He served as the chairman of the Catholic Health Commission of Kenya, a commission formed by the Kenyan Bishops' Conference. As chairman, he oversaw the 58 hospitals, 83 health centers, 311 dispensaries, and 17 medical training institutions owned and operated by the Catholic Church in Keny'a.[3]

Bishop of Wote

On 22 July 2023 Pope Francis appointed him as the founder bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wote, that was established from splitting the Diocese of Machakos.[1][4][5] He was installed as the new bishop on 30 September 2023. At his installation ceremony he promised to "work together with all leaders in Wote Diocese to find solutions to pressing issues".[6]

When in December 2023, Pope Francis issued a statement allowing priests to bless same-sex unions, Bishop Njiru prohibited such blessings in Wote Diocese.[7]

Alleged plagiarism

In a 2024 book about plagiarism at the Gregorian University, researchers Michael Dougherty and Alkuin Schachenmayr argued that Njiru's dissertation was plagiarized, showing that very many passages were copied from uncredited authors like cardinals Leo Joseph Suenens and Albert Vanhoye.[8]

Illness

In 2024 Njiru fell ill. The pope appointed Norman King'oo Wambua, Bishop of Machakos, as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Wote, with "full authority over all diocesan matters," effective 28 September 2024.[9]

Publications

• Charisms and the Holy Spirit's Activity in the Body of Christ: An Exegetical-Theological Study of 1 Corinthians 12,4–11 and Romans 12,6–8 (Doctoral dissertation) (Rome: Ed. Pontificia Univ. Gregoriana, 2002).

See also

• Roman Catholicism in Kenya

Succession table

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Anthony Muheria (Bishop) (2003–2008)	Bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Embu 2009 - 2023	Succeeded by Peter Kimani Ndung'u (Bishop) (2023–present)

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by None	Bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Wote 2024 - Present	Succeeded by Incumbent

References

1. David M. Cheney (1 September 2023). "MicroData Summary for Bishop Paul Kariuki Njiru (born 11 Mar 1963) Bishop of Wote". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. Kansas City. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
2. Njiru, Paul Kariuki (2002). Charisms and the Holy Spirit's Activity in the Body of Christ: An Exegetical-Theological Study of 1 Corinthians 12,4–11 and Romans 12,6–8. Rome: Ed. Pontificia Univ. Gregoriana. pp. back cover text.
3. AllAfrica.com (16 October 2014). "Catholic Bishops Urge Ministry of Health to Come Clean On Tetanus Vaccine". Proquest.com. Washington, DC. ProQuest 1613287291. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
4. Elizabeth Asasha (28 July 2023). "Kenya: Catholic Faithful Elated as Pope Francis Erects New Diocese, Appoints Pioneer Shepherd". Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA). Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
5. "Pope Francis appoints Paul Njiru as bishop of new Wote Diocese". Citizen Digital. Nairobi, Kenya. 23 July 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
6. Veronica Nthakyo (3 October 2023). "Work together to stir up growth, Catholic bishop tells leaders". The Star (Kenya). Nairobi, Kenya.
7. Maureen Njeri (28 December 2023). "Bishop Paul Kariuki Bans Priests From Blessing Same-Sex Marriages Week After Pope Francis's Directive". Kenyans Kenya. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
8. Dougherty, Michael V.; Schachenmayr, Alkuin (21 May 2024). "Plagiarism in biblical theology". New Techniques for Proving Plagiarism: Case Studies from the Sacred Disciplines at the Pontifical Gregorian University. Brill. pp. 288–350. doi:10.1163/9789004699854_009. ISBN 978-90-04-69985-4.
9. Allan Kisia (28 September 2024). "Pope Francis appoints Bishop Wambua as Apostolic Administrator of Wote Diocese". The Star (Kenya). Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 3 December 2024.

External links

• Video of Bishop Njiru celebrating Mass
• Kenyan Catholic bishop urges wider debate on homosexuality As of 1 March 2024