On 4 March 2016, Father Alexander Mutua Munyao was ordained to the priesthood in his native Kenya. The Most Reverend Geoffrey Jarrett Geoffrey Jarrett ordained Father Alexander in St Zeno Catholic Parish, Ndithini, Diocese of Machachos. Some priests from the Diocese of Lismore, including Father Michael Nilon, Parish Priest of St Francis Xavier, Ballina, where he had his diaconal placement prior to priestly ordination, were also present at his ordination.
Writing for the diocese’s magazine, Catholic Life, Fr Munyao said his “call to the priesthood started when I was a young boy growing up in the Savanna Plains of Kenya”. He returned to those plains earlier this year for Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett to ordain him.
That followed “twelve good years of formation” from 2004, starting with five years of philosophical studies at Consolata Institute of Philosophy and Novitiate in Kenya under the Consolata Missionaries.
Fr Munyao then had three years of theological studies at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome followed by four years intensive study and pastoral experience in Australia under the guidance of both the Good Shepherd Seminary, Sydney, and Vianney College, Wagga Wagga.
Fr Munyao is now ministering in the coastal town of Ballina as diocese’s newest priest.