Pope Leo Appoints Kenyan To The Vatican’s Development Dicastery
Lucy Afandi Esipila, Regional Coordinator for Caritas Africa, is one of Pope Leo XIV’s new appointees to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Integral Human Development.
On August 18, 2026, Pope Leo nominated 12 new Consultors of the Dicastery, including Afandi, who also serves as the Regional Coordinator of Caritas Africa.
Afandi is the first woman and the youngest to serve as Caritas Africa’s Regional Coordinator.
She has worked as a Policy and Advocacy Officer for Caritas Africa, Caritas Kenya, and Caritas Maralal.
Her journey started at the diocesan radio station in Maralal, Samburu County.
Pope Leo XIV has appointed three Africans with experience in theology, peacebuilding, rural development, humanitarian action and advocacy as Consultors of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
The appointees are Fr. Emmanuel Katongole, a Ugandan theologian and… pic.twitter.com/gZIkZTi2qN— ACI Africa (@aciafricanews) August 20, 2026
According to the Dicastery, the Consultors contribute their specific human, scientific, pastoral, and ecclesial expertise, offering opinions and insights to help address issues that require particular attention.
The list is drawn from male and female theologians, canonists, priests, religious, and laypeople with a wealth of pastoral, ecclesial, and professional experience.
The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development is among 15 others set by the Roman Curia, under the catholic church.
It was established in the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium, a major apostolic constitution issued by Pope Francis that took effect on June 5, 2022
Praedicate Evangelium reordered and reformed the Roman Curia, which is the central administrative body of the Catholic Church.
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In line with Praedicate Evangelium, the Consultors of the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia are appointed for a five-year term.
Other consultors appointed alongside Afandi are Rev. Monsignor Peter Klasvogt (Italy), Rev. Francesco Coluccia (Italy), Rev. Emmanuel Katongole (United States of America), Rev. Joseph Jeyaraj Swaminathan, Omer S. Combary (Burkina Faso), Paolo Foglizzo (Italy), Peter G. Kirchschläger (Switzerland), Kathryn A. Koch (United States of America), Jacqueline Remond (Australia), Caren Rodrigues (India) and Clemens Sedmak (United States of America).
Other Dicasteries under the Roman Curia are for Evangelization, Doctrine of the Faith, Service of Charity, the Eastern Churches, Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the Causes of Saints, Bishops, the Clergy, Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the Laity, the Family and Life, Promoting Christian Unity, Interreligious Dialogue, Culture and Education, Promoting Integral Human Development, Legislative Texts and Communication.
Pope Leo Appoints Kenyan To The Vatican’s Development Dicastery
