Nestled in the heart of Makueni County in southeastern Kenya, the Catholic Diocese of Wote stands as a vibrant community of faith, service, and mission. Covering a vast geographical area that stretches from the plains of Kibwezi to the highlands of Kilungu and Mbooni, the Diocese serves thousands of faithful Catholics across eight Deaneries: Wote, Kathonzweni, Kiambu, Kibwezi, Nzaui, Kilungu, Kasikeu, and Mbooni.
The Diocese was carved out to bring the Church closer to the people — to ensure that the Gospel of Jesus Christ reaches every household, every family, and every soul in this region. It is a Church that knows its people: their joys and struggles, their harvests and their droughts, their hopes and their heartbreaks. And it is precisely from this deep familiarity that the Diocese draws its greatest strength.
At the heart of everything the Diocese does is a clear and compelling vision: “A Christ-centered Diocese witnessing the Gospel through faith, unity, justice, and integral human development.”
This vision is not merely a statement on paper. It is lived out in the classrooms of Catholic schools where children receive quality education, in the health centres where the sick receive care, in the parishes where the faithful gather every Sunday to celebrate the Eucharist, and in the remote outstations where catechists carry the Word of God to those who would otherwise have no access to formal ministry.
The Diocese exists, as its mission states, “to evangelize through the Word of God, celebration of the Sacraments, formation of the faithful, promotion of justice and peace, care for creation, and compassionate service to all people.” Guided by its motto — Rooted in Christ, Sent in Mission — every department, every priest, every religious, and every layperson is called to participate actively in this great commission.
Bishop Rt. Rev. Simon Peter Kamomoe, the shepherd of the Diocese of Wote, has consistently called the faithful to embrace their identity as missionary disciples. In his message to the Diocese, he writes:
“As a family of God, we are called to journey together in faith, hope, and love. Our Diocese seeks to proclaim Christ through prayer, evangelization, education, pastoral care, justice, peace, and compassionate service to all.”
This pastoral vision shapes everything — from the formation of priests and religious to the engagement of lay associations such as the Catholic Men Association (CMA), the Catholic Women Association (CWA), and the vibrant Youth Ministry. The Bishop consistently emphasises synodality — a Church that listens, discerns, and acts together.
The Diocese operates on ten core values that guide its internal culture and external witness:
Faithfulness to Christ — The Diocese is unapologetically Christ-centred. Every programme, every outreach, every administrative decision flows from fidelity to the Gospel and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Prayer and Sacramental Life — The Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life. The Diocese prioritises the celebration of the Sacraments and encourages deep personal and communal prayer.
Unity and Communion — In a region of diverse communities, the Diocese serves as a bridge-builder, fostering collaboration and mutual respect among clergy, religious, and laity.
Integrity and Accountability — The Diocese upholds transparent and ethical leadership at every level. The faithful deserve shepherds who are accountable.
Service and Compassion — The poor, the vulnerable, and the marginalised hold a special place in the heart of the Diocese. Through Caritas and other welfare programmes, the Diocese reaches those whom society often overlooks.
Justice and Peace — Through the Commission for Justice, Peace, and Development (CJPD), the Diocese advocates for human dignity, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence in the community.
Evangelization and Mission — The Diocese does not wait for people to come to it. It goes out — through missionaries, catechists, and lay evangelisers — to bring the Good News to every corner of Makueni County.
Stewardship of Creation — Mindful of the call of Laudato Si’, the Diocese engages in environmental conservation and promotes sustainable practices among the faithful.
Participation and Synodality — Every voice matters. The Diocese fosters listening, dialogue, and shared responsibility in its journey of faith.
Excellence and Professionalism — Whether in pastoral ministry or administration, the Diocese is committed to quality, competence, and dedicated service.
The Catholic Diocese of Wote is a young, dynamic, and growing Diocese. Its greatest resource is not its buildings or its budgets, but its people — faithful Catholics who love God, serve their communities, and witness the Gospel through their daily lives.
As the Diocese continues to grow, it invites every member of its community — clergy, religious, and laity alike — to deepen their commitment to the mission. It also extends an open invitation to friends from beyond its boundaries: to pray for the Diocese, to partner with it, and to support the work of the Gospel in Makueni County.
The journey ahead is long, but it begins with a single step — and that step is taken together, as one family of God, rooted in Christ and sent in mission.
For more information about the Catholic Diocese of Wote, visit catholicdioceseofwote.org or contact us at info@catholicdioceseofwote.org
A Christ-centered Diocese witnessing the Gospel through faith, unity, justice, and integral human development.
Copyright © Catholic Diocese of Wote, All Rights Reserved
