Bishop Medley meets with the family of Fr. Jean Rene Kalombo in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, on Sept. 22. COURTESY OF FR. EMMANUEL UDOH
With ‘deep appreciation,’ Bishop Medley completes seven-country pastoral visit project begun six years ago
BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
For Bishop William F. Medley, a lasting aspect of his legacy as the shepherd of the Diocese of Owensboro will be his initiative to visit the seven countries from which have come the many international priests serving western Kentucky.
“I have looked around and seen what an impact international priests have had on our parishes,” he said, explaining that his pastoral visits have meant to show “what a deep appreciation I have, and our local Church has, for our international priests.”
Bishop Medley visits with several relatives of Fr. John Ighacho (wearing hat) during his visit to Mombasa, Kenya, to meet with Fr. Ighacho’s family on Sept. 26. COURTESY OF FR. EMMANUEL UDOH
The bishop said that currently, about one-third of the Diocese of Owensboro’s presbyterate is made up of priests who were born outside the United States – a point he often emphasizes at diocesan liturgies like Chrism Mass.
After returning from his Sept. 19-Oct. 9, 2024 pastoral visit to Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the bishop spoke with The Western Kentucky Catholic about his global journeys.
“My focus on this (project) began with my visit to Mexico in 2018, to meet and honor the families of Fr. Carmelo Jimenez and Fr. Julio Barrera,” said Bishop Medley.
After that initial visit went well, the bishop traveled to India, Myanmar (Burma), Guatemala, and Nigeria over the next few years, hoping to express his gratitude to the families, bishops, and dioceses of the international priests now serving in the Diocese of Owensboro.
(Left to right) Fr. Jean Rene Kalombo, Bishop William F. Medley, and Fr. Emmanuel Udoh at the airport in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, on Sept. 20, at the beginning of the bishop’s pastoral visit to the DRC and Kenya. COURTESY OF FR. EMMANUEL UDOH
His Nigeria trip, which took place in fall 2023, was originally intended to span across other African countries, but travel visa logistics ended up being too much for one trip. So this year, he returned to Africa to complete the journey.
During this most recent visit, Bishop Medley had the chance to meet and thank the families of Fr. Jean Rene Kalombo, Fr. John Ighacho, Fr. Chrispin Oneko, and Fr. Michael Charles Ajigo Abiero. He flew out two days after his 72nd birthday and traveled with Fr. Emmanuel Udoh, who had accompanied him on his Africa trip in 2023.
The bishop said lengthy Masses were common in the African nations he visited, and he observed the fast-growing Catholic faith across the continent.
On Oct. 1, Bishop William F. Medley and Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba of the Archdiocese of Kisumu, Kenya – the native archdiocese of Fr. Michael Charles Ajigo Abiero. COURTESY OF FR. EMMANUEL UDOH
“At Fr. Michael Charles’ home parish in Kenya, we celebrated a four-hour-long Mass with 500-600 people there for Sunday Mass,” he said. “I confirmed 320 people at a Mass in Nairobi, and was the first bishop to visit that church, was still in the process of being built.”
The bishop said that for the time being, he does not anticipate visiting additional countries, but the door is never closed – especially if more priests from other nations are one day sent to serve in the Kentucky diocese.
For now, he is glad for the opportunity to have expressed his gratitude in-person.
“I would call that a great success,” he said.
Bishop William F. Medley visits St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Mombasa, Kenya, and meets with Fr. Maxwell Okello in September 2024. Fr. Okello served in the Diocese of Owensboro’s tribunal from 2007-2009. COURTESY OF FR. EMMANUEL UDOH
Originally printed in the November 2024 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
