Pastoral Care of Elderly Catholic Priests in Kenya

References

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@article{1709898,
      author = {Leonard Juma Wafula},
      title = {Pastoral Care of Elderly Catholic Priests in Kenya},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2025},
      volume = {9},
      number = {1},
      pages = {1520-1525},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1709898.pdf},
      abstract = {This paper examines the pastoral care of elderly Catholic priests in Kenya, focusing on the challenges, support systems, and opportunities within the contemporary Kenyan Catholic Church context. With over 3,644 priests serving across more than 1,100 parishes nationwide, Kenya's Catholic Church faces increasing demands for comprehensive care of its aging clergy members. Through analysis of secondary data from church reports, academic research, and institutional documentation, this study reveals significant gaps in retirement planning, healthcare provision, and spiritual support for elderly priests. The research demonstrates that while Kenya's Catholic Church has established some care mechanisms, systemic challenges including limited retirement facilities, inadequate pension systems, and insufficient specialized healthcare create vulnerabilities for aging clergy. Key findings indicate that pastoral care for elderly priests operates through diocesan initiatives, interfaith collaborations, and emerging support organizations, yet requires enhanced coordination and resource allocation. The study recommends comprehensive policy frameworks addressing housing, healthcare, spiritual support, and financial security to ensure dignified aging for priests who have devoted their lives to pastoral service.},
      keywords = {Pastoral Care, Elderly Priests, Catholic Church},
      month = {July},
  }