The Catholic Church has dismissed reports circulating insinuating that Cardinal John Njue is dead.
Led by the Auxiliary Bishop of Nairobi, Rev. Fr. Wallace Ng’ang’ a Gachihi, the church said in an official letter that Cardinal Njue is alive and that the reports are entirely false.
Additionally, the Auxiliary Bishop urged Kenyans to disregard the report and refrain from sharing unverified information on sensitive matters.
“It has come to our attention that persistent rumours are circulating regarding the alleged death of His Eminence John Cardinal Njue.
“We wish to categorically state that these claims are entirely false, and without foundation. His Eminence John Cardinal Njue is alive, and we ask that everyone disregards these baseless rumours. We kindly urge all to refrain from sharing or entertaining unverified information, particularly on sensitive matters such as this,” Rev. Fr. Gachihi said.
He went on to say that any official communication regarding the Cardinal’s health would be conveyed through the official Catholic Church’s channels.
“Should there be any official communication regarding His Eminence’s health or any other matter, it will be conveyed through official Church channels.
“We ask that you continue to keep Cardinal Njue in your prayers, and we wish him continued good health and blessings. Thank you for your understanding, cooperation, and commitment to upholding the truth,” he added.
Who is Cardinal Njue?
John Njue is a retired cardinal who was ordained as a priest in 1973 and later was consecrated as a bishop in 1986.
He was the president of the Kenya Episcopal Conference from 2006 to 2015. Njue has also served in Bungoma, Chuka, Embu, Nyeri, and Isiolo, where he was the Apostolic Administrator of the Vicariate of Isiolo.
Cardinal Njue resigned three years ago after reaching the retirement age.
The Catholic Church said that Pope Francis accepted the archbishop’s resignation; in accordance with the Church canon, the bishop is required to write to the pope after attaining the age of 75 to be allowed to resign.
Njue was also vocal against bad governance during the late President Daniel Moi’s reign, earning his adoration among human rights advocates as well as followers of the church.
He at one time told off President Moi to his face that the Catholic Church was unhappy with the government’s attempted takeover of church-sponsored schools.
