Raphael S. Ndingi Mwana a'Nzeki

Raphael S. Ndingi Mwana a'Nzeki (25 December 1931—30 March 2020) was a Kenyan bishop of the Roman Catholic Church who served as archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi in Kenya.[1] He had also served as the bishop of Machakos and Nakuru.

The Most Reverend

Raphael S. Ndingi Mwana a'Nzeki
Archbishop emeritus of Nairobi
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
ArchdioceseNairobi
MetropolisNairobi
SeeNairobi
Appointed21 April 1997
Term ended6 October 2007
PredecessorMaurice Michael Otunga
SuccessorJohn Njue
Orders
Ordination31 January 1961
by John Joseph McCarthy
Consecration1 August 1969
by Pope Paul VI
Personal details
Birth nameRaphael S. Ndingi Mwana a'Nzeki
Born25 December 1931
Mwala, Machakos, Kenya
Died30 March 2020(2020-03-30) (aged 88)
Previous postBishop of Machakos(1969–71) Bishop of Nakuru (1971–97)
Ordination history of
Raphael S. Ndingi Mwana a'Nzeki
History
Priestly ordination
Ordained byJohn Joseph McCarthy
Date31 January 1961

Life

Ndingi was born in the Mwala location in then Machakos district in colonial Kenya. He joined Kiserian Seminary after completing his primary school education. Ndingi sat for the Cambridge School Certificate privately and returned excellent results. He was then admitted to university where he pursued a BA degree in political science and history.[2] He was ordained as a priest in 1961 and served under Archbishop J. J. McCarthy of the Nairobi diocese.[3] He was ordained as a bishop in 1969 and served in that capacity in the dioceses of Machakos and Nakuru before being appointed as Coadjutor Archbishop of Nairobi in 1996 as an assistant to Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga. He succeeded Cardinal Otunga on 21 April 1997 as the Archbishop of Nairobi. He was retired by Pope Benedict XVI on 6 October 2007 after attaining the age of 75 years. He was succeeded by the current Cardinal John Njue who was his assistant in Nakuru.[1]

Struggle for multiparty democracy

Ndingi was one of the clergy who played an active role in the struggle for the reintroduction of multiparty democracy in Kenya. Although he was a moderate who tried avoiding inciting the public against the government, the atrocities committed by the repressive Daniel arap Moi regime forced him to publicly condemn the authorities.[3] He is best remembered for opposing the KANU government's directive that forced voters to queue behind their preferred candidate (Mlolongo)[2] and his confrontation of the provincial administration and the police for their role in political clashes of 1992 when 2000 people are reported to have died.[3]

Death

The archbishop died in Nairobi on 30 March 2020 after a long illness.[4][5] His death was announced by Cardinal John Njue, urging people to "pray for the repose of his soul".[6] President Uhuru Kenyatta eulogized Ndingi as a "truth soldier" and a "loving man".[7]

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References
  1. David M. Cheney. "Archbishop Raphael S. Ndingi Mwana’a Nzeki [Catholic-Hierarchy]". catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  2. "Retired Catholic Archbishop Raphael Ndingi Mwana 'a Nzeki dies aged 88:: Kenya". Citizen Digital. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  3. "Raphael Ndingi Mwana a'Nzeki personal struggles with old age and fading memory :: Kenya". The Standard. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  4. Retired Catholic Archbishop Ndingi Mwana Nzeki Dies at 88
  5. Retired Nairobi Archbishop Ndingi Mwana’a Nzeki, 88, dies
  6. Orinde, Hillary. "Retired Archbishop Ndingi Mwana a'Nzeki is Dead". Standard Digital. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  7. Agutu, Nancy; Kelvin, Cheruiyot. "Truth soldier, loving man: Uhuru, Raila mourn Mwana a'Nzeki". The Star. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
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