25/09/2026
Bishop Willybard's PASTORAL AND INSTITUTIONAL VISIT TO SARDINIA, ITALY
Bishop Willybard Kitogho Lagho
Catholic Diocese of Malindi, Kenya
September 2026
Purpose of the Visit
Bishop Willybard Kitogho Lagho's visit to Sardinia combined pastoral fraternity, encounters with religious communities, institutional and military meetings, cultural and historical visits, and opportunities to strengthen relationships between the Church in Sardinia and the Catholic Diocese of Malindi.
The visit was facilitated in a special way by Fr. Mariano, whose hospitality, accompaniment and introductions enabled Bishop Lagho to encounter a wide range of clergy, religious, public officials, military personnel, families and friends.
Day One – Initial Encounters
Among the persons Bishop Lagho met were:
Brigadier General Daniele Donati, during an encounter connected with the Italian military community.
Lt. Col. Jan Luka Nicoleta, with whom the Bishop also had an opportunity for interaction.
Fr. Stefano Poroko, associated with St. Anthony of Padua, as part of the pastoral and ecclesial encounters during the visit.
These encounters provided an opportunity for informal exchange about Kenya, the Catholic Diocese of Malindi, pastoral ministry and the importance of friendship and solidarity across national boundaries.
Day Two – Religious and Pastoral Encounters
Bishop Lagho met the Priory Superior, together with several priests and religious, including:
- Fr. Anselmo, a priest from Madagascar;
- Don Ireneo, Parish Priest of Assunzione;
- Don Eugenio Caramia; and
- Don Pasquale, assistant priest associated with the Order of Mercy (Ordine della Mercede) at Our Lady of Bonaria.
These meetings provided opportunities for pastoral conversation and for presenting the missionary situation and pastoral priorities of the Catholic Diocese of Malindi.
Institutional Meeting – Regional Council of Sardinia
An important institutional encounter took place with Piero Comandini, President of the Regional Council of Sardinia.
The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss Sardinia and Kenya, solidarity between peoples, peace, education, healthcare and the importance of constructive relations between Christians and Muslims.
The encounter was particularly relevant to the Diocese of Malindi because of its longstanding commitment to Christian–Muslim dialogue and peaceful coexistence on the Kenyan coast.
Encounters with Families and Friends
The visit was enriched by the generous hospitality of Sardinian families and friends.
Bishop Lagho had lunch at Restaurant Da Lio with Fr. Mariano and Antonio della Maria. He subsequently visited the family's jewellery shop and met Francesco, Antonio's brother, whom he experienced as a reserved man with a deep disposition toward prayer.
Another evening brought together Fr. Anselmo, Don Ireneo, Liza, Maria Rosaria and her husband Antonio for dinner and fellowship.
The encounter also offered Bishop Lagho an introduction to aspects of Sardinian food and culture, including traditional Sardinian digestifs such as Mirto Sardo and Filu 'e Ferru.
Religious and Historical Visits in Cagliari
Bishop Lagho visited the Santuario di San Salvatore da Horta, where he met Fr. Luka and his brother Evans.
He also visited the important archaeological and early-Christian remains associated with Sant'Eulalia in the Marina district of Cagliari.
The visit stimulated reflection on Sardinia's ancient Christian heritage and its connections with the wider history of Christianity in the Mediterranean.
The Bishop also reflected on the historical journey of the relics of St. Augustine of Hippo, whose remains eventually came to rest in San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro in Pavia.
Visit to St. Anthony of Padua
One of the particularly significant pastoral moments was the visit to St. Anthony of Padua in Cagliari.
Bishop Lagho was received by Fr. Fabrizio, Superior of the Convent of St. Ignatius, and Fr. Roberto, who accompanied and guided him during the visit to the church.
During this encounter, Bishop Lagho proposed exploring a sister relationship between St. Anthony of Padua in agliari and the Diocese of Malindi wherein the Catheral parish also take St Anthony of padua as the patron Saint.
