Philip Anyolo (born 18 May 1956) is a Kenyan prelate of the Catholic Church who has been the Archbishop of Nairobi since 2021. He has been a bishop since 1996, serving as ordinary in Kericho from 1996 to 2003, Homa Bay from 2003 to 2018, and Kisumu from 2019 to 2021.
Philip Anyolo | |
|---|---|
| Archbishop of Nairobi | |
 | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Nairobi |
| See | Nairobi |
| Appointed | 28 October 2021 |
| Predecessor | John Njue |
| Other post(s) | President of the Kenyan Episcopal Conference (2015-) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 15 October 1983 by John Njenga |
| Consecration | 3 February 1996 by Jozef Tomko |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Philip Arnold Subira Anyolo 18 May 1956 |
| Previous post(s) |
|
| Motto | Manete in Me, Et ego in vobis ('Abide in Me, and I in you') |
Biography edit
Philip Arnold Subira Anyolo was born on 18 May 1956 in Tongaren, Bungoma, the second of ten children born to Mzee Paul Anyolo and Mama Dina Nekesa. He attended Kakamwe primary school in Tongaren and Mother of Apostles Minor Seminary in Eldoret, St. Augustine Major Seminary in Mabanga for philosophy, and St. Thomas Aquinas in Nairobi for theology. He was ordained a deacon in 1982 and he was ordained a priest for the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret, Kenya, on 15 October 1983 by John Njenga, Bishop of Eldoret.[1]
He served as the bishop's secretary for two and a half years while assisting with parish work.[1] Beginning in 1987 he studied in Austria, earning a doctorate in systematic theology from the University of Innsbruck in 1993.[2] Returning then to his role as bishop's secretary, he also worked as chaplain of Moi University and was a visiting lecturer at St. Matthias Mulumba Major Seminary.[1]
Pope John Paul II appointed him the first bishop of the newly erected Roman Catholic Diocese of Kericho on 6 December 1995.[3] He received his episcopal consecration in Kericho on 3 February 1996[1] from Cardinal Jozef Tomko, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.[citation needed] He chose as his episcopal motto "Abide in Me and I in you" (John 15:4).[2]
On 20 February 2002, he was appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Homa Bay, upon the resignation of Bishop Linus Okok Okwach.[1] On 22 March 2003, Pope John Paul appointed him bishop of that diocese.[4] He was installed on 23 May 2003.[1]
He has served as the Chairperson of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops.[5]
Pope Francis named him archbishop of Kisumu on 15 November 2018[6] and he was installed there on 12 January 2019.[1]
On 28 October 2021, Pope Francis appointed him archbishop of Nairobi.[7][8] He was installed there on 20 November 2021.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Archbishop's Office". Archdiocese of Nairobi. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Undaunted by Herculean task ahead, Archbishop Anyolo dons Njue mantle". Nation Media. 20 November 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ Acta Apostolicae Sedis (PDF). Vol. LXXXVIII. 1996. p. 299. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 22.03.2003" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 22 March 2003. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ "Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops".
- ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 15.11.2018" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 28.10.2021" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ Wangari, Stephanie (28 October 2021). "Cardinal John Njue's Replacement Announced". Kenyans.co.ke. Retrieved 28 October 2021.