Pope Leo XIV Appoints Kenyan Bishop To The Vatican Dicastery
Pope Leo XIV has assigned Willybard Kitogho Lagho, a Kenyan Bishop from the Catholic Diocese of Malindi, to the Vatican Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.
Lagho’s nomination was announced on Friday, July 4, and he will join one of the Roman Curia’s primary administrative bodies.
The Roman Curia is a complex administrative structure that supports the Pope in governing the Catholic Church.
Lagho currently chairs the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism (CIRDE).
He is also the Chairman of the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK), a national organization that fosters unity among Kenya’s many religious communities.
🕊️ The Catholic Justice and Peace Department congratulates Rt. Rev. Willybard Lagho, Bishop of Malindi, on his appointment by Pope Leo to the Vatican Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.
— KCCB – Catholic Justice & Peace Department (@CJPDKENYA) July 4, 2025
A shepherd of peace, dialogue, and understanding. Your witness inspires our mission. 🙏🏽… pic.twitter.com/ddisiEYoLF
Dicasteries are key departments of the Roman Curia, each having a distinct field of expertise.
One of these dicasteries is the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, which is in charge of developing mutual understanding, respect, and collaboration between Catholics and those who follow other non-Christian religious traditions.
The Dicastery seeks to guarantee that communication with followers of other religions is conducted in an appropriate manner, with a listening, esteeming, and respectful attitude.
It creates various types of relationships with them by promoting peace, freedom, social justice, the protection and safeguarding of creation, as well as spiritual and moral values.
In carrying out their mandate, the Dicastery promotes the genuine quest for God among all people via action, theological exchange, and spiritual experience.
It uses relevant studies and conferences to increase mutual understanding and esteem, allowing people’s spiritual and moral richness to expand.
In addition, the Dicastery is responsible for assisting diocesan/eparchial Bishops in the formation of people who engage in interreligious dialogue.
Furthermore, the Dicastery provides specialized people for the many religious traditions with which it seeks to establish communication.
Commissions are formed in the Dicastery under the Prefect’s supervision and in collaboration with the relevant Episcopal Conferences and Eastern Church hierarchy entities to promote connections with adherents of diverse religious beliefs.
This includes the Commission on Religious Relations with Muslims.
ALSO READ:
- “Don’t Attack Public Infrastructure!” – IG Kanja Asks Kenyans, Issues Orders To Police
- “NO MORE NIL TAX RETURNS!” – KRA Tells Kenyans, Introduces New Changes
- Eliud Owalo Blasts Ruto Gov’t, Demands EACC & DCI Investigations Into Fake Sugar Scandal
- President’s Office Releases 2026 National Holidays Calendar, Names Host Counties
- Kenya Goes After British Oil Giant Over Hundreds Of Deaths In The North
In carrying out its tasks, the Dicastery consults with other dicasteries as needed, such as the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and, if necessary, the Dicasteries for the Eastern Churches and Evangelization.
The Dicastery carries out its tasks and organizes its projects in consultation with the specific Churches, Episcopal Conferences, their regional and continental groups, and the Eastern Churches’ hierarchical structures.
Bishop Lagho was born on March 23, 1958, and consecrated as a deacon in Mombasa on December 21, 1985.
He was later ordained as a priest on April 25, 1987, still in Mombasa. Lagho was appointed Bishop of Malindi on December 28, 2020, and ordained one year later on March 19.
Pope Leo XIV Appoints Kenyan Bishop To The Vatican Dicastery
