A priest has quit the Catholic Church in protest against celibacy saying he cannot do without women.
Father John Karimi, now married with three children, had served the church for 15 years.
He felt that celibacy was not practical in the mainstream church and opted out rather than continue cheating God and his flock.
“I made up my mind to walk out of the Church and have a wife of my own whom I cherish instead of living a hypocritical life and finally go to hell,” he told the Nation in an exclusive interview.
Celibacy was introduced to ensure that priests with a calling to serve God concentrated in spiritual nourishment.
It was also introduced to avoid nepotism, which was prevalent in one of the oldest churches.
Before the introduction of the rule, the founding Popes and priests used to influence recruitment of their family members to the Church, the Father said.
According to Father Karimi, the founders had wives and family and at one time one of the Pope was succeeded by his son.
He clearly recollected how in 2004 while he was in-charge of Ichagaki parish, he decided it was time to go and start a new life than continue sinning against God.
Father Karimi boldly approached the then Murang’a Catholic Bishop Peter Kihara and informed him of his decision.
However, the Bishop would not accept and pleaded with him to stay urging him that he would be used to celibacy with time.
The Bishop then gave him one year to meditate over the issue and give a feedback.
After staying outside the Church for one year, Father Karimi reported back to the Bishop and told him his decision still stood but he remained adamant asking him not to quit.
Unsatisfied, the clergyman wrote to Pope John 11 in 2005 through Bishop Kihara asking to be relieved of his priesthood duties.
The priest never got a reply. He left the Church unceremoniously and settled in his rural home in Kirinyaga County.
“I had to leave whether I was allowed to go or not. And I say this with finality,” he said.
Ever since, Father Karimi led a quiet life until Saturday when he went public about his tribulations.
Without mincing words, the priest said almost all the priests do not practice celibacy
Father John Karimi, now married with three children, had served the church for 15 years.
He felt that celibacy was not practical in the mainstream church and opted out rather than continue cheating God and his flock.
“I made up my mind to walk out of the Church and have a wife of my own whom I cherish instead of living a hypocritical life and finally go to hell,” he told the Nation in an exclusive interview.
Celibacy was introduced to ensure that priests with a calling to serve God concentrated in spiritual nourishment.
It was also introduced to avoid nepotism, which was prevalent in one of the oldest churches.
Before the introduction of the rule, the founding Popes and priests used to influence recruitment of their family members to the Church, the Father said.
According to Father Karimi, the founders had wives and family and at one time one of the Pope was succeeded by his son.
He clearly recollected how in 2004 while he was in-charge of Ichagaki parish, he decided it was time to go and start a new life than continue sinning against God.
Father Karimi boldly approached the then Murang’a Catholic Bishop Peter Kihara and informed him of his decision.
However, the Bishop would not accept and pleaded with him to stay urging him that he would be used to celibacy with time.
The Bishop then gave him one year to meditate over the issue and give a feedback.
After staying outside the Church for one year, Father Karimi reported back to the Bishop and told him his decision still stood but he remained adamant asking him not to quit.
Unsatisfied, the clergyman wrote to Pope John 11 in 2005 through Bishop Kihara asking to be relieved of his priesthood duties.
The priest never got a reply. He left the Church unceremoniously and settled in his rural home in Kirinyaga County.
“I had to leave whether I was allowed to go or not. And I say this with finality,” he said.
Ever since, Father Karimi led a quiet life until Saturday when he went public about his tribulations.
Without mincing words, the priest said almost all the priests do not practice celibacy
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