Bishop in Kenya suspends priests over sex and drink claims

The Bishop of Maralal also unveiled sweeping reforms aimed at strengthening oversight and governance across the diocese, banning priests from owning or running private businesses.

Bishop Hieronymus Joya of Maralal relieved seven priests of their duties pending investigations into claims of abuses of ecclesiastical power, negligence in administration, and financial mismanagement.

In a detailed four-page letter to the laity, Bishop Joya said: “We have sent them home for various reasons.” He said one priest stands accused of causing a Catholic hospital he was in charge of to close. 

“Another issue is the misuse of resources. If these matters are not resolved according to the procedures of the Catholic Church, we will seek the government’s intervention so they can be resolved in court,” Bishop Joya said.

The allegations the priests face including consuming alcohol in bars and other public drinking establishments.

“For the dignity of the priesthood, a priest should not be found in bars. Even in the houses where they live, they should not consume alcohol because we know the harm alcohol can cause. If you are busy with your own business, when will you serve the people of God?” the bishop said.

Other allegations involve some of the priests breaching the Church’s celibacy requirement by engaging in sexual relationships.

“You cannot claim that you have a woman who needs your support or children you are responsible for”, wrote Joya. “Those who intentionally tempt priests into relationships that go against the commitments they made should stop doing so. Priests are human beings with emotions, and if they are continually enticed, they can fall.”

The priests have been barred from publicly celebrating Mass, administering the sacraments, or carrying out any official pastoral duties. Bishop Joya also unveiled sweeping reforms aimed at strengthening oversight and governance across the diocese.

Under the new regulations, priests must be at their residences by 7 p.m. to “gather for evening prayer”. They are prohibited from attending any liturgical celebration while intoxicated or suffering from a hangover or sleeping outside their homes.

“No lay person should sleep or stay in the father’s house or sisters’ convent without the permission of the bishop,” added Joya.

His reforms also ban priests from owning or running private businesses. In the letter, Joya expressed his frustration with the state of the Diocese of Maralal, where he was installed as bishop in October 2022.

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