The office of the Auxiliary Bishop involves assisting the Diocesan Bishop (Local Ordinary) in the pastoral care and administration of a diocese. Auxiliary Bishops are appointed by the Holy See, especially when the diocese is large or has a dense population. They share in the fullness of the priesthood with the Archbishop but have limited governing authority, primarily supporting the Local Ordinary in various ecclesiastical functions such as Confirmations, Ordinations, and representing the bishop at different events.
Auxiliary Bishops may also be assigned specific roles, such as Vicar General or Episcopal Vicar for particular groups and are often responsible for regional governance or special ministries within the diocese. They must reside within the diocese and work closely with the Local Ordinary, acting in harmony for the good of the diocese.
Unlike a coadjutor bishop, an Auxiliary Bishop does not have the right of succession upon the resignation, transfer, or death of the Local Ordinary. If the diocesan seat becomes vacant, the Auxiliary Bishop retains his previous faculties but does not gain additional powers unless appointed as Diocesan Administrator.
Below are simple biographies of the Auxiliary Bishops of the Archdiocese of Nairobi:
Bishop David Kamau Ng’ang’a was born in Ikinu, Githunguri, Kiambu County, as the second born in a family of four boys. His journey into the priesthood began with his early education at Ikinu Primary School in Kiambu County, which he attended from 1964 to 1970. He then joined Queen of Apostles Seminary in 1971, where he completed his secondary education in 1974. Bishop Kamau pursued his philosophical studies at St. Augustine Seminary, Mabanga, starting in 1975, and later moved to St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary for his theological studies.
He was ordained a priest on 10th January 1982 and began his priestly ministry at Our Lady of Visitation Makadara Parish. Over the years, Bishop Kamau served in various parishes and institutions within the Archdiocese of Nairobi, gaining significant pastoral and administrative experience. He also served as the Rector of St. Augustine Senior Seminary, Mabanga, where he played a crucial role in the formation of future priests.
On 22nd December 1999, Pope John Paul II appointed him as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Nairobi. He was consecrated as a bishop on 18th March 2000. In addition to his role as an Auxiliary Bishop, Bishop Kamau has also served as the Apostolic Administrator of both the Archdiocese of Nairobi and the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru, providing leadership during critical transitional periods.
Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe was born on May 4, 1962, to the late Mr. Michael Kamomoe and Scholastica Gathoni, as the fifth child in a family of eleven. His early education began at Muthiga Primary School, followed by secondary education at Ituru High School, where he completed his O levels. His spiritual journey commenced at Queen of Apostles Junior Seminary in 1984, where he pursued his A levels.
In 1986, he joined St. Mary’s Seminary in Molo for a spiritual year, followed by philosophical studies at St. Augustine Seminary, Mabanga, from 1987 to 1988. He then pursued theological studies at St. Matthias Mulumba Seminary, Tindinyo, from 1989 to 1992. Bishop Kamomoe was ordained a deacon in 1992 at St. Matthias Mulumba Tindinyo and was ordained a priest by the Servant of God Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga on 18th June 1994.
His priestly ministry began with his appointment as Assistant Father in charge of Queen of Apostles Seminary and Parish on June 18, 1994. Over the years, Bishop Kamomoe served in various parishes, including Thigio, Mangu, Ndundu, and St. Matthias Mulumba Parish, Thika. He was later appointed Father in charge of Our Lady of Fatima Kiriko Parish from 1998 to 1999 and subsequently, Father in charge of Kiambu Parish in 1999.
In 2008, he was appointed Administrator of the Holy Family Minor Basilica. Bishop Kamomoe earned a Bachelor of Counselling Psychology from the University of Nairobi (2005-2008), a Master’s in Psychology from Tangaza University College (2013-2015), and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (2016-2021).
His passion for the family institution is reflected in his role as Chaplain in the Family Life Department and his authorship of various books focused on family values, including Marriage through a Priestly Eye, Mothers-in-law and Daughters-in-law, and Root Causes and Solutions to Conflict.
On 13th February 2024, Bishop Kamomoe was announced as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Nairobi. He was consecrated as a bishop on 6th April 2024 at St. Mary’s Msongari grounds.