Pope Leo names Bishop Lagho to the Vatican Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue
The Catholic Church in Kenya has recorded a new milestone after Pope Leo appointed Rt. Rev. Willybard Kitogho Lagho to the Vatican Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. This major recognition places the Bishop of Malindi at the heart of global Church efforts to build bridges across religions.
The announcement, made on July 3, highlights the Vatican’s trust in Bishop Lagho’s long service promoting peace, tolerance, and unity among Kenya’s diverse religious communities.
Bishop Lagho’s name is widely respected in interfaith circles. He currently chairs both the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) and the Commission for Inter-religious Dialogue and Ecumenism at the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB). Through these roles, he has worked with Christians, Muslims, and traditional communities to promote peaceful coexistence.
His past efforts also include serving as a consultor to the former Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and as a consultant with the Danish organisation DANMISSION.
Born on March 23, 1958, in Taita-Taveta County, Bishop Lagho was ordained a Catholic priest in 1997. Over the years, he has served in various pastoral and leadership capacities including as seminary rector, youth director, and Vicar General of Mombasa before becoming the first native Bishop of Malindi in December 2020.
His academic journey saw him earn a Master’s degree in Religious Studies from CUEA and later train in Arabic and Islamic Studies in Cairo and Rome—skills that have strengthened his ability to connect across faiths.
In his new role, Bishop Lagho will be working with top-ranking global Church leaders such as Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa of Jerusalem, Cardinal Dominique Mathieu of Iran, Cardinal Frank Leo of Toronto, and Cardinal Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo. Together, they will guide the Church’s outreach and collaboration with followers of other world religions.
The Vatican Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue plays a central role in promoting mutual respect and cooperation between Catholics and people of other faiths. Bishop Lagho’s appointment is seen as a boost not just for Kenya, but for Africa’s growing presence in global Church matters.
His new position shines a spotlight on Kenya’s efforts to lead in peacebuilding through faith and understanding.
