Italian Priest Leaves Ministry and Marries Kenyan Woman

After twelve years in Kenya, Italian priest Sandro Ferretto has married Sharon Jepng’ok, a Tugen woman from Baringo County.

The couple tied the knot in a traditional ceremony on 6 September at Seretion Village in Kasiela. This is the same place where Mr Ferretto served as parish priest.

Many relatives, local leaders, elders, and friends of the bride attended the event. They witnessed the Koito ceremony, an important Kalenjin custom focused on dowry talks and family blessings.

Mr Ferretto, who is 55 years old, started his priesthood in Italy before moving to Kenya. He spent over ten years working closely with local communities.

He was ordained by the Diocese of Padua and arrived in Kenya in 2008 to begin his missionary work. He served in Kasiela and Mochongoi under the Diocese of Nyahururu. During his time there, he was involved in pastoral outreach, youth programs, and community development efforts in Baringo.

In December 2020, he returned to Italy with another missionary, Fr Mariano Dal Ponte. In 2023, he took charge of a pastoral unit in Saletto, Borgo Veneto, within the Padua diocese. His responsibilities included eight churches in that area.

But his time in that role was short. In December 2023, he celebrated a final Mass and then decided to step down for personal reflection. Many of his colleagues were surprised by his decision since he gave little warning.

The Diocese of Padua later confirmed his departure from pastoral duties. They noted that he was still a priest and was not involved in any controversy. They described his choice as a time away from pastoral ministry that he requested.

While on this break, Mr Ferretto volunteered with a migrant support group in Padua.

He later went back to Kenya and reconnected with Ms Jepng’ok. They met during his missionary work in Baringo.

People in the community knew him well as “Father Sandro.” He had spent more than ten years working with families, youth groups, and church members in the area. Baringo is also the home region of Ms Jepng’ok.

Catholic canon law requires Latin Rite priests to remain celibate and does not allow them to marry while active in ministry. The Church sees this commitment as a lifelong duty of the priesthood.

For a priest to marry, he must first go through a formal process to leave the clerical state, which is approved by the Vatican. This process, called laicisation, ends his status as a priest and usually includes a release from the celibacy obligation.

Only after getting the necessary approval can a former priest marry. Without it, the marriage would go against Catholic canon law and would not be accepted by the Church.