Bishop apologises for disobeying court orders

Bishop Amos Mathenge Kabutu being led to court cells after he was found guilty of contempt of court. He has apologised to the court for disobeying an order barring him from ordaining priests. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • May 20, 2014 had barred Bishop Kabutu or any other bishop in the church from carrying on, conducting or presiding over the ordination of any person as clergy.
  • However, the bishop went ahead and ordained John Kariuki Kambo.
  • The bishop said he only reinstated a pastor after an outcry from the faithful in Makande to reinstate him.
  • Bishop Kabutu said he had to take charge of the Mombasa diocese on August 23, 2014 following Mr Kambo’s suspension.

A cleric embroiled in leadership wrangles in his church has apologised to a court for disobeying an order barring him from ordaining priests.

Bishop Amos Mathenge Kabutu of the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) told the court Wednesday he was sorry, but insisted claims against him were false.

Justice Mbogholi Msagha’s order on May 20, 2014 had barred Bishop Kabutu or any other bishop in the church from carrying on, conducting or presiding over the ordination of any person as clergy.

However, the bishop went ahead and ordained John Kariuki Kambo.

He denied the claims, saying: “Kambo had long been ordained as pastor, only that he had been suspended.”

The bishop said he only reinstated a pastor after an outcry from the faithful in Makande to reinstall him.

“I reviewed his case as the archbishop and decided to allow him resume his duties after I was satisfied he had taken care of all issues that led to his suspension,” he said.

Bishop Kabutu said he had to take charge of the Mombasa diocese on August 23, 2014 following Mr Kambo’s suspension.

Mr James Njeru Maingi filed charges against the bishop for conducting an ordination at the church‘s headquarters at Bahati Cathedral on June 1.