Maurice Michael Otunga

Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga (born 31 January 1923 in Chebukwa, Kenya; † 6 September 2003 in Nairobi ) was Archbishop of Nairobi.

Life

Maurice Michael Otunga, son of a tribal chieftain, converted in 1935 to Catholicism. He studied at the seminary of Kampala and in Rome, the subjects Catholic theology and philosophy and received on 3 October 1950, the sacrament of Holy Orders. After further study, he became in 1953 professor of theology at the Seminary of Kakamega. From 1956 he worked in the diocesan administration.

On November 17, 1956, he was named by Pope Pius XII. Titular Bishop of Tacapae and Auxiliary Bishop of Kisumu. He received his episcopal consecration on February 25, 1957 James Robert Knox.

Maurice Michael Otunga in 1960 was Bishop of Kisii. He participated in the years 1962-1965 at the Second Vatican Council and in 1964 military bishop in Kenya. 1969 Pope Paul VI appointed him. Titular Archbishop of Polymartium and Koadjutorerzbischof with right of succession for the Archdiocese of Nairobi, whose line Maurice Michael Otunga took over in 1971. In 1973, Pope Paul VI. as cardinal priest with the titular church of San Gregorio Barbarigo all Tre Fontane on the College of Cardinals. Otunga headed for many years the Episcopal Conference of Kenya and a member of the Council of the African and Malagasy Episcopal Conferences SECEAM Permanent Commission. In 1994 he presented for reasons of age, the line of the Archdiocese of Nairobi and moved to a retirement home, where he worked as a pastor.

Maurice Michael Otunga died on 6 September 2003 in Nairobi. He went down in history as the first Cardinal of Kenya. 2009, the beatification process for him was initiated.