Information
Landmark: Isiolo Catholic Cathedral (St. Eusebius Cathedral)City: Isiolo
Country: Kenya
Continent: Africa
Isiolo Catholic Cathedral (St. Eusebius Cathedral), Isiolo, Kenya, Africa
Overview
St. Eusebius Cathedral, the heart of Isiolo’s Catholic community, is both its main church and administrative center, founded when the diocese separated from Meru on December 15, 1995.The cathedral stands in Isiolo Town, the bustling heart of Isiolo County’s government and trade in Kenya.The Diocese of Isiolo began as an apostolic vicariate and, on February 15, 2023, Pope Francis raised it to full diocesan status, marking the day with the solemn ring of church bells.This elevation marked a key step in acknowledging the region’s growing Catholic community and strengthening the church’s mission, from its humble chapel to its expanding outreach.The cathedral takes its name from St. Eusebius, a Christian martyr and pope remembered for guiding the faithful in the early centuries, even as candlelight flickered in small stone chapels.The name honors the cathedral’s spiritual roots, a place devoted to sharing the Christian faith throughout the region-like the echo of a hymn carrying out into the streets.The cathedral’s patron saint is St. Eusebius, a towering figure from early Christian history whose name was chosen to reflect the Catholic community in Isiolo’s deep respect for leadership, faith, and sacrifice, much like the steady light of a candle in a quiet chapel.Rite: The cathedral follows the Roman, or Latin, Rite-the standard liturgical tradition of the Roman Catholic Church, where incense curls through the air during Mass.The Diocese of Isiolo covers a vast stretch of land-more than 25,605 square kilometers, where dusty roads run for hours before reaching the next town.It serves roughly 177,730 people, including about 69,070 Catholics-enough to fill a stadium on a summer evening.The diocese includes 13 parishes, with a devoted team of clergy and religious staff guiding everything from Sunday services to quiet weekday prayers.The diocese has 13 parishes, each one rooted in its neighborhood, welcoming the local Catholic community through open doors and ringing bells.In Isiolo County, these parishes form the heart of local spiritual life, offering weekly masses, sacraments, and quiet moments of prayer beneath the worn wooden rafters.The diocese counts 22 priests-some diocesan, others from religious orders-serving the Catholic community’s spiritual and pastoral needs, from Sunday Mass to bedside prayers.Also, 46 religious sisters serve at the heart of the diocese’s work, teaching in classrooms and caring for the sick in quiet hospital wards.The diocese is working hard to nurture vocations to the priesthood, with 12 seminarians now in training-men who spend their days studying, praying, and preparing for a life of service.They’re getting ready for future roles in the ministry, learning the ropes one careful step at a time.St. Eusebius Cathedral and the Diocese of Isiolo aren’t only places where people gather to pray-they also run schools, teach skills, and help the community grow.The diocese runs several vital institutions to serve the community, including the Catholic Dispensary, where locals can see a nurse, get medicine, and find care they often can’t access elsewhere.The Pastoral Centre and Secretariat is the diocese’s hub, where staff plan and oversee the many programs, ministries, and events of the Catholic Church in Isiolo - from parish workshops to community outreach.Radio Shahid is a Catholic station that shares spiritual programs, local news, and community updates, from Sunday sermons to the sound of a church bell at noon.It’s a vital way to connect and share information, like a clear voice carrying across a busy room.Bishop Luigi Locati Nursery & Day Care welcomes little ones with warm classrooms and bright toys, providing both early learning and attentive care.Hekima Primary School offers a solid, nurturing education to Isiolo’s children, shaping both their minds and their character, whether in math class or under the acacia trees at recess.St. Mary’s Girls Secondary School is a place where young girls from the region learn, grow, and aim high, guided by faith and surrounded by a close-knit, supportive community.In February 2023, when Isiolo was elevated to full diocesan status, Anthony Ireri Mukobo stepped in as its first bishop, marking the start of a new chapter for the Diocese’s leadership.During his tenure, he worked hard to strengthen the diocese and expand its reach, from remote mountain parishes to busy market towns.Peter Munguti Makau became the new bishop of the Diocese of Isiolo in May 2024, stepping into the role with the warm air of early summer still hanging over the town.He was consecrated on July 27, 2024, and since then has stepped into the role of guiding Isiolo’s Catholic community, carrying forward the mission his predecessors began, much like tending a flame that’s been passed from hand to hand.On February 15, 2023, the Apostolic Vicariate of Isiolo was raised to the rank of a diocese, opening the door to more direct oversight and stronger backing for the area’s growing Catholic community, whose Sunday services often fill the small stone church to the brim.Bishop Peter Munguti Makau has carried on his predecessor’s work, adding his own touch, much like laying fresh stones atop a well-worn path.He leads with a clear goal: grow the diocese’s reach and strengthen its religious and educational programs, from Sunday services to school classrooms, so they truly serve the community’s many needs.St. Eusebius Cathedral sits in the heart of Isiolo Town, just a short walk from the bustling market, making it easy for visitors to find.It sits in the heart of the city, a central religious and cultural landmark in Isiolo County where the call to prayer drifts through the busy streets.At the cathedral, you can join a regular mass, take part in special religious celebrations, or drop by the diocese’s social and educational programs-perhaps stepping into a quiet classroom where volunteers teach language lessons.The cathedral opens its doors to people of all faiths and walks of life, offering a warm space where interfaith conversations flow and community bonds take root.The cathedral buzzes with life during major Catholic festivals like Easter, Christmas, and Eid al-Adha, when crowds fill the pews, candles flicker, and voices rise together in celebration and prayer.St. Eusebius Cathedral stands at the heart of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Isiolo, shaping the county’s spiritual, social, and educational life-its bells echoing across town each morning.It’s more than a place to worship-it’s where neighbors gather to learn, build a stronger community, and share ideas across different faiths, sometimes over the smell of fresh bread from the kitchen.With its deep historical roots and a hand in shaping the Catholic community’s future in Isiolo, the cathedral stands as a cornerstone of the region, its bell still ringing clear across the town.St. Eusebius Cathedral anchors the Catholic community in Isiolo, whether it’s hosting Sunday Mass, school events, or lively town gatherings.
