George Henry - Rev Father Patrick Mbugua.

GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

Not many people will readily admit that they have been following Christ from birth. And, there are only a few who can admit to the fact that during their youth, they fully understood what it meant to serve Jesus Christ.

The Reverend Father Patrick Mbugua, the priest who currently leads the flock at the St Croix Catholic Church in Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth, is one of the few.

"I have been with Jesus since birth. My parents were Catholics and so I was born in that context. My consciousness of Christianity really started at the age of reasoning, which was at age seven," explained Father Mbugua.

He told THE STAR that it was not difficult for him to acknowledge Christianity at a young age because of the environment in which he was brought up. Born in Kenya, Africa, Mbugua noted that his upbringing was centred around a real Catholic family who knew exactly how to serve God and humanity.

challenges

The church leader said he loves the work he is doing for Christ and humanity in Jamaica. Despite the work being challenging, Mbugua added that he had found ways of dealing with the challenges.

"I like it here, despite so many challenges. Challenges here are a little tougher to overcome," said Mbugua.

The Kenyan, who has done studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, said he had done courses, such as Caribbean Studies, and had researched cultures which he had difficulty understanding. As a result, he is better able to deal with the many local challenges associated with his work.

He said he has had no regrets being a leader in the Catholic Church.

He boasted that he loves working with the Jamaicans he serves. He shared their joys and sorrows, and has become a part of the communities in which he works.

"I am a friendly pastor, and the friendliness allows me to get the touch of the people, and so I can now chip in with the Christian doctrine," said the priest.

difficult decision

Leaving his native land to come and serve in Jamaica was difficult for Father Mbugua. He explained that Kenya had a high Catholic population (about 80 per cent), in comparison to other denominations. But in Jamaica, the Catholic community, about seven per cent, is minute in comparison to other denominational groups.

But despite the low percentage of Catholics in Jamaica, he has been able to make friends with scores of people from other denominations. He added that Jamaicans were very warm towards him. He said this has allowed him to adjust to the Jamaican culture with ease.

Comparing Catholicism to Pentecostalism here in Jamaica, the priest said there was a slight difference in their faith and trend of worship. But he noted that both groups work together, as what unites Christians is stronger than what divides them.

"I mix with persons from all denominations. You can never even tell. Sometimes people say that they did not even know that I am a Catholic, even Rastas, by the way. Someone even asked me if I did not want to become a Rasta priest, because I mingle with all. I have no problem mixing with others, because we are one people," said Mbugua.

Father Mbugua said he has a passion for the poor and dispossessed, and mixing and mingling with them helps him to better assist them. His love for Jamaica and Jamaicans has no boundaries, and with this in mind, the priest said his care continues to show in his ministry.

Father Mbugua who has served Catholic churches such as St John the Baptist, the Aquinas Centre and St Richard's, in the Corporate Area, the Sacred Heart Church in Montego Bay and Sacred Heart in Christiana, before moving to his current church, St Croix Catholic Church in Santa Cruz, has been working in Jamaica since February of 1996.

good leader

Paul Lyn, who has known Father Mbugua for 10 years, said he is a good church leader and community person. Lyn pointed out that Mbugua loves people, especially the youths.

"Father Mbugua is a real hard-working minister. After 40 years of not having a proper church to worship at Sacred Heart in Christiana, he was instrumental in the construction of a new facility," said Lyn.

Lyn also noted that Father Mbugua had an active church council while he served at Sacred Heart Christiana. He said he was well loved by the members of that church, which experienced a significant increase in its membership.