Metropolitan Archdiocese of Nyeri, Kenya

Continent: Eastern and Central Africa

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Metropolitan Archdiocese Metr. Archdiocese

Name: Nyeri / Nyerien(sis) (Latin)

Suffragan Sees: Embu, Isiolo, Maralal, Marsabit, Meru, Murang’a, Nyahururu

Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelisation

Celebrations

Liturgical Calendar (National) 📅

History

1905.09.14: Established as Mission sui juris of Kenya (from Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Zanguebar)
1909.07.12: Promoted as Apostolic Vicariate of Kenya
1926.03.10: Renamed as Apostolic Vicariate of Nyeri / Nyerien(sis) (Latin) (lost territory to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Meru)
1953.03.25: Promoted as Diocese of Nyeri / Nyerien(sis) (Latin) (became suffragan of Nairobi)
1964.11.25: Lost territory to establish Diocese of Marsabit
1983.03.17: Lost territory to establish Diocese of Murang’a
1990.05.21: Promoted as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Nyeri / Nyerien(sis) (Latin) (with suffragan sees Embu, Marsabit, Meru and Murang’a)
2001.06.30: Gained suffragan see Maralal
2002.12.05: Lost territory to establish Diocese of Nyahururu and gained suffragan see Nyahururu
2023.02.15: Gained suffragan see Isiolo

Present Prelates

Metropolitan Archbishop (2017.04.23 – ...):

Archbishop Anthony Muheria, Opus Dei (61)

Vice-President of Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops

Ordinaries

Metropolitan Archbishops of Nyeri (Roman Rite)

Archbishop Anthony Muheria, Opus Dei (61)
(2017.04.23 – ...)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Nyeri (Kenya)
Vice-President of Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops

Ut essemus sancti

Born:	1963.05.27 (Kaburugi, Kenya)
Ordained Priest:	1993.06.13
Consecrated Bishop:	2004.01.10

Priest of Opus Dei (Italy) (1993.06.13 – 2003.10.30)

Bishop of Embu (Kenya) (2003.10.30 – 2008.06.28)

Bishop of Kitui (Kenya) (2008.06.28 – 2017.04.23)

Apostolic Administrator of Machakos (Kenya) (2015.02 – 2017.04.23)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Nyeri (Kenya) (2017.04.23 – ...)

Apostolic Administrator of Embu (Kenya) (2023.09.30 – 2024.08.15)

Vice-President of Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (2024.04.19 – ...)

Archbishop Peter Joseph Kairo (83)
(2008.04.19 – 2017.04.23)

Metropolitan Archbishop emeritus of Nyeri (Kenya)

Born:	1941.05.24 (Londiani, Kenya)
Ordained Priest:	1970.11.01
Consecrated Bishop:	1983.05.21

Priest of Nakuru (Kenya) (1970.11.01 – 1983.03.17)

Bishop of Murang’a (Kenya) (1983.03.17 – 1997.04.21)

Bishop of Nakuru (Kenya) (1997.04.21 – 2008.04.19)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Nyeri (Kenya) (2008.04.19 – 2017.04.23)

Cardinal John Njue (79)
(Apostolic Administrator 2007.12 – 2008.04.19)

Archbishop Nicodemus Kirima
(1990.05.21 – 2007.11.27)

Born:	1936.03.03 (Kenya)
Ordained Priest:	1962.12.22
Consecrated Bishop:	1978.05.14
Died:	2007.11.27 († 71)

Bishop of Mombasa (Kenya) (1978.02.27 – 1988.03.12)

President of Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (1988 – 1991)

Bishop of Nyeri (Kenya) (1988.03.12 – 1990.05.21)

President of Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (1989 – 1997)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Nyeri (Kenya) (1990.05.21 – 2007.11.27)

Bishops of Nyeri (Roman Rite)

Bishop Nicodemus Kirima (later Archbishop)
(1988.03.12 – 1990.05.21)

(see above)

Bishop Caesar Gatimu
(1964.11.25 – 1987.02.20)

Born:	1921.05.18 (Kenya)
Ordained Priest:	1947.03.17
Consecrated Bishop:	1961.05.21
Died:	1987.02.20 († 65)

Titular Bishop of Abila in Palæstina (1961.04.18 – 1964.11.25)

Auxiliary Bishop of Nyeri (Kenya) (1961.04.18 – 1964.11.25)

Bishop of Nyeri (Kenya) (1964.11.25 – 1987.02.20)

Bishop Carlo Maria Cavallera, I.M.C.
(1953.03.25 – 1964.11.25)

Born:	1909.01.08 (Italy)
Ordained Priest:	1931.12.19
Consecrated Bishop:	1947.08.15
Died:	1990.09.22 († 81)

Apostolic Administrator of Meru (Kenya) (1947 – 1954.03.03)

Titular Bishop of Sufes (1947.06.19 – 1953.03.25)

Vicar Apostolic of Nyeri (Kenya) (1947.06.19 – 1953.03.25)

Bishop of Nyeri (Kenya) (1953.03.25 – 1964.11.25)

Bishop of Marsabit (Kenya) (1964.11.25 – 1981)

Vicars Apostolic of Nyeri (Roman Rite)

Bishop Carlo Maria Cavallera, I.M.C.
(1947.06.19 – 1953.03.25)

(see above)

Bishop Carlo Re, I.M.C.
(1931.12.14 – 1947)

Born:	1893.09.23 (Italy)
Ordained Priest:	1920.03.20
Consecrated Bishop:	1932.05.29
Died:	1978.08.12 († 84)

Vicar Apostolic of Nyeri (Kenya) (1931.12.14 – 1947)

Titular Bishop of Hadrumetum (1931.12.14 – 1951.12.29)

Apostolic Administrator of Meru (Kenya) (1932 – 1936.09.16)

Bishop of Ampurias (Italy) (1951.12.29 – 1961.02.10)

Bishop of Civita–Tempio (Italy) (1951.12.29 – 1961.02.10)

Titular Bishop of Aspona (1961.02.10 – 1978.08.12)

Bishop Giuseppe Perrachon, I.M.C.
(1926.01.04 – 1930.10.18)

Born:	1866.10.11 (Italy)
Ordained Priest:	1909.06.27
Consecrated Bishop:	1926.04.11
Died:	1944.04.14 († 77)

Vicar Apostolic of Kenya (Kenya) (1925.12.18 – 1926.01.04)

Titular Bishop of Centuria (1925.12.18 – 1944.04.14)

Vicar Apostolic of Nyeri (Kenya) (1926.01.04 – 1930.10.18)

Vicars Apostolic of Kenya (Roman Rite)

Bishop-elect Giuseppe Perrachon, I.M.C.
(1925.12.18 – 1926.01.04)

(see above)

Bishop Filippo Perlo, I.M.C.
(1909.07.15 – 1925.12)

Born:	1873.02.08 (Italy)
Ordained Priest:	1895.08.10
Consecrated Bishop:	1909.10.23
Died:	1948.11.04 († 75)

Vicar Apostolic of Kenya (Kenya) (1909.07.15 – 1925.12)

Titular Bishop of Maronea (1909.07.15 – 1948.11.04)

Superior General of Consolata Missionaries (1926.02.16 – 1929.01.11)

Former Prelates

Coadjutor Archbishop: Archbishop John Njue (79) (later Cardinal) (2002.03.09 – 2007.10.06)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Caesar Gatimu (1961.04.18 – 1964.11.25)