New archbishop of Kenya pledges ‘key role’ in fight against AIDS

Nairobi

Benjamin Mwanzia Nzimbi, fourth archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya, was enthroned in September at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi.

Archbishop Donald Mteteme-la of the Province of Tanzania delivered the sermon in which he challenged both religious and political leaders to practice humility and servanthood. “For some of us bishops, our congregations have to go through a ritual of bureaucracy to see us – this is not the way of our Lord,” he said amid cheers from the congregation.

In his acceptance speech, Archbishop Nzimbi said he would continue in the footsteps of his predecessor, Archbishop David Gitari, in fighting social injustice. “The church will not sit by as the rights of the voiceless are trampled upon,” he announced.

He said he would streamline the management of church institutions such as theological colleges and hospitals and that the church would take a key role in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Archbishop Nzimbi, 57, holds a bachelor of education degree and a Master of Arts degree in non-profit management from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn.