The Anglican Church, under the Military Episcopate, recently held a thanksgiving service to honor two retired Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) chaplains, Rev. Colonel (Rtd) Alfayo Lelei and Rt. Rev. Major (Rtd) Samson Gachathi. The event took place at the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), Saint Julians Centre, Limuru, Kiambu County. It was presided over by His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Jackson Ole Sapit, and the Archbishop of the ACK and Bishop in Ordinary to the KDF.
Both Rev. Col. (Rtd) Lelei and Rt. Rev. Maj. (Rtd) Gachathi served under the Military Episcopate during their careers.
During the ceremony, seven chaplains and 25 catechists took an oath of canonical obedience before the Archbishop. This symbolic ACK tradition reaffirms allegiance and obedience to spiritual leadership of Christ.
In his address, Archbishop Ole Sapit urged the chaplains and catechists to emulate the dedication and service of the retired chaplains. He called on them to be diligent, faithful, and prayerful in their service to military personnel.
“God has given us a great opportunity to serve through the military episcopate. Fellow brothers and sisters, let us learn a thing or two from Rev. Col. (Rtd) Lelei and Rt. Rev. Maj. (Rtd) Gachathi,” he said.
The Principal Chaplain of the Anglican Church, Col. (Rev.) Canon Amos Oking, highlighted the growth of clergy welfare as a pastoral tool and a means to foster brotherhood. The Principal Chaplain of the Roman Catholic Church, Col. (Fr.) John Njue, as well commended the retired chaplains for their devoted service to the Kenyan military community.
Currently, Rev. Col. (Rtd) Lelei is serving in the ACK Diocese of Eldoret, while Rt. Rev. Maj. (Rtd) Gachathi serves as the Diocesan Bishop of ACK Nyahururu Diocese.
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