Nicodemus Kirima (3 March 1936 - 27 November 2007) was a Roman Catholic prelate who served as Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri from 1990 until his death in 2007. Previously, he served as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Nyeri from 1988 until 1990. Before that, he was the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mombasa from 1978 until 1988. He was appointed bishop on 27 February 1978 by Pope Paul VI. He died in office on 27 November 2007, at the age of 71 years, as Archbishop of Nyeri, Kenya.
Early life and education
Nicodemus Kirima was born on 3 March 1936 in Karatina, Nyeri District, Nyeri County, Kenya. He studied philosophy and theology before he was ordained priest in December 1962.[1][2]
Priest
He was ordained a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Nyeri on 22 December 1962. He served in that capacity until 27 February 1978.[1][2][3]
Bishop
The Holy Father Paul VI appointed him as the Bishop of Mombasa Catholic Diocese, on 27 February 1978. He served in that capacity until 12 March 1988.[1][2][3]
He was consecrated and installed at Mombasa on 14 May 1978 by the hands of Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga, Archbishop of Nairobi assisted by Archbishop Agostino Cacciavillan, Titular Archbishop of Amiternum and Bishop John Njenga, Bishop of Eldoret.[1]
On 12 March 1988, Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of the diocese of Nyeri, to succeed the late Bishop Caesar Gatimu.[1][2][3] On 21 May 1990, The Holy Father elevated the Diocese of Nyeri to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri. Bishop Nicodemus Kirima was selected as the first archbishop of the new "Metropolitan See".[1][2][3]
Illness and death
In 2002, Archbishop Kirima underwent a kidney transplant, when his brother donated one of his kidneys to him. In 2006, while on a trip to the United States, he developed kidney failure. His health continued to deteriorate over the next one year.[2][3]
On 4 November 2007, while receiving kidney dialysis at Consolata Mission Hospital Mathari, he went into a coma. He was airlifted to Nairobi Hospital for further treatment and management. He died there on 27 November 2007. He was 71 years old.[1][2][3]
Succession table
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byEugene Joseph Butler (26 January 1957 - 27 February 1978) | Bishop of Mombasa (27 February 1978 - 12 March 1988 | Succeeded byJohn Joseph Njenga |
| Preceded byCaesar Gatimu (25 November 1964 - 20 February 1987) | Bishop of Nyeri 12 March 1988 – 21 May 1990 | Succeeded byNone (Diocese elevated) |
| Preceded byNone (Archdiocese created) | Archbishop of Nyeri 21 May 1990 – 27 November 2007 | Succeeded byPeter Joseph Kairo |
References
- 1.[1.2][1.3][1.4][1.5][1.6][1.7]David M. Cheney (25 February 2024). "MicroData Summary for Archbishop Nicodemus Kirima (born 3 March 1936; died 27 November 2007), Archbishop of Nyeri". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. Kansas City. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
- 2.[2.2][2.3][2.4][2.5][2.6][2.7]Claire Wanja (27 November 2007). "Nyeri Catholic Archbishop Kirima Dies". Kenya Broadcasting Corporation. Nairobi, Kenya. Archived from the original on 9 December 2007. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
- 3.[3.2][3.3][3.4][3.5][3.6]ICN (28 November 2007). "Kenya: Archbishop of Nyeri Has Died". Independent Catholic News (ICN). London, England, United Kingdom. Retrieved 27 January 2025.