John Njue was ordained as a Catholic priest by Pope Paul VI on 6 January 1973 in St. Peter's Basilica. A Kenyan cardinal and theologian, he transitioned from academic teaching roles in national seminaries to high-level administrative positions within the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, eventually overseeing the Archdiocese of Nairobi for fourteen years.
Early Education and Academic Tenure
Born in Embu in 1946 to Joseph Nyanga Kibariki and Monica Ngina Nyaga, Njue entered the minor seminary in Nkubu in 1962. Between 1967 and 1974, he attended the Pontifical Urbaniana University and the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, where he earned licentiates in philosophy and pastoral theology. Upon returning to Kenya, he taught philosophy at the National Seminary of Bungoma and served as its rector from 1978 to 1982. He also spent time in the United States completing a course in spirituality.
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Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of Embu on 9 June 1986, with his episcopal consecration occurring on 20 September. From 1997 to 2003, he led the Kenyan Episcopal Conference. His administrative responsibilities expanded when he was named Coadjutor Archbishop of Nyeri in 2002. Following the death of Bishop Luigi Locati, he functioned as the Apostolic Administrator of Isolo between 2005 and 2006. In 2007, he reached the leadership of the Archdiocese of Nairobi.
Cardinalate and Vatican Service
Pope Benedict XVI elevated Njue to the rank of cardinal in the consistory held on 24 November 2007, granting him the title of Cardinal-Priest of Preziosissimo Sangue di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo. In this capacity, he served as a member of several bodies, including the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, the Congregation for the Clergy, and the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. In 2013, he participated in the papal conclave that resulted in the election of Pope Francis.
Public Stances and Controversy
During his tenure, Njue expressed opposition to various public initiatives. In 2013, he rejected calls from US President Barack Obama to reform laws concerning gay rights in Africa. In 2014, he campaigned against a government-led vaccination program for women, claiming it served as a covert method of lowering fertility. Additionally, he criticized traditional practices regarding excessive bride price demands, arguing they hindered the formation of marriages.
Fast facts
- Born: 1946, Embu, Kenya
- Ordained Priest: 6 January 1973
- Bishop of Embu: 1986–2002
- Archbishop of Nairobi: 2007–2021
- Elevated to Cardinal: 2007
- Education: Pontifical Urbaniana University and Pontifical Lateran University
Questions readers ask
When did John Njue retire as Archbishop?
Pope Francis accepted his resignation on 4 January 2021.
Did John Njue participate in the 2025 papal conclave?
No, he did not attend due to health problems.
