{{Short description|Kenyan cardinal}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}} {{Infobox Christian leader | type = Cardinal | honorific-prefix = [[His Eminence]] | name = John Njue | honorific-suffix = | title = [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]], [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi|Archbishop Emeritus of Nairobi]] | image = Cardinal John Njue in February 2017 in the Vatican City.jpg | caption = Njue in 2017 | province = | diocese = | see = [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi|Nairobi]] | appointed = 6 October 2007 | enthroned = 1 November 2007 | ended = 4 January 2021 | predecessor = [[Raphael S. Ndingi Mwana a'Nzeki]] | successor = [[Philip Anyolo]] | ordination = 6 January 1973 | ordained_by = [[Pope Paul VI]] | consecration = 20 September 1986 | consecrated_by = [[Jozef Tomko]] | cardinal = 24 November 2007 | created_cardinal_by = [[Pope Benedict XVI]] | rank = [[Cardinal priest]] | other_post = Cardinal Priest of [[Preziosissimo Sangue di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo]] | previous_post = {{unbulleted list|[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Embu|Bishop of Embu]] (1986–2002)|[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri|Coadjutor Archbishop of Nyeri]] (2002–2007)|[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi|Archbishop of Nairobi]] (2007–2021)}} | birth_name = John Njue | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1946|01|01|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Embu, Kenya|Embu]], [[Colony and Protectorate of Kenya]] | death_date = | death_place = | buried = | nationality = Kenyan | religion = Roman Catholic | coat_of_arms = Coat of arms of John Njue.svg | motto = {{lang|la|In veritate testimonium, in caritate servitium}}<br />('Testimony in truth, service in charity') }} {{Infobox cardinal styles |cardinal name=John Njue |image=[[File:Coat_of_arms_of_John_Njue.svg|250px|border=none|alt=Coat of Arms of Cardinal John Njue]] |dipstyle=[[His Eminence]] |offstyle=[[His Eminence|Your Eminence]] }} {{Ordination | ordained priest by = [[Pope Paul VI]] | date of priestly ordination = 6 January 1973 | place of priestly ordination = [[St. Peter's Basilica]] | consecrated by = [[Jozef Tomko]] | co-consecrators = Bishop Silas Silvius Njiru and Bishop [[Raphael S. Ndingi Mwana a'Nzeki]] | date of consecration = 20 September 1986 | elevated by = [[Pope Benedict XVI]] | date of elevation = 24 November 2007 | bishop 1 = [[James Maria Wainaina Kungu]] | consecration date 1 = 27 June 2009 | bishop 2 = [[Paul Kariuki Njiru]] | consecration date 2 = 25 July 2009 | bishop 3 = [[Maurice Muhatia Makumba]] | consecration date 3 = 27 February 2010 | bishop 4 = [[Dominic Kimengich]] | consecration date 4 = 22 May 2010 | bishop 5 = [[Emanuel Barbara]] | consecration date 5 = 9 July 2011 | bishop 6 = [[Joseph Ndembu Mbatia]] | consecration date 6 = 24 March 2012 | bishop 7 = [[John Oballa Owaa]] | consecration date 7 = 14 April 2012 | bishop 8 = [[Joseph Alessandro]] | consecration date 8 = 29 September 2012 }}
'''John Njue''' (born 1 January 1946) is a Kenyan [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|cardinal]] of the [[Catholic Church]]. He was the fourth [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi|Archbishop of Nairobi]] from 2007 to 2021. He previously served as [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri|Coadjutor Archbishop of Nyeri]] from 2002 to 2007 and [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Embu|Bishop of Embu]] from 1986 to 2002. He was elevated to the rank of [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|cardinal]] in 2007.
==Biography== Njue was born in [[Embu, Kenya]], on 1 January 1946{{efn|His exact birthdate is apparently unknown. For years Vatican sources said he was born in 1944, but in 2024 began reporting his birth date as 1 January 1946.<ref>{{cite web| access-date = 20 April 2024| title= Njue Card. John |publisher= [[Holy See Press Office]] | url= https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_njue_j.html | url-status=live | archive-date= 4 September 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170904062944/http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_njue_j.html }}</ref>}} to Joseph Nyanga Kibariki and Monica Ngina Nyaga. He was [[Baptism|baptized]] in 1948 and entered the [[minor seminary]] in [[Nkubu]] in 1962. From 1967 to 1974, he furthered his studies in Rome at the [[Pontifical Urbaniana University]] (where he obtained a [[Licentiate (degree)|licentiate]] in philosophy) and [[Pontifical Lateran University]] (licentiate in [[pastoral theology]]).
On 6 January 1973, Njue was [[Holy Orders|ordained]] to the priesthood by [[Pope Paul VI]] in [[St. Peter's Basilica]]. Returning to Kenya in October 1974, he did pastoral work in Kariakomu in the [[Meru South District|southern district]] of [[Meru, Kenya|Meru]]. He also taught philosophy at the National Seminary of Bungoma, of which he later served as [[Rector (ecclesiastical)|rector]] from 1978 to 1982. In 1982, he completed a course in spirituality in the United States. He then served as a [[Pastor|parish priest]] in [[Chuka, Kenya|Chuka]] and rector of the Philosophical Seminary of Meru.
On 9 June 1986, Njue was appointed [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Embu|Bishop of Embu]] by [[Pope John Paul II]]. He received his [[Bishop (Catholicism)|episcopal consecration]] on 20 September from cardinal [[Jozef Tomko|Jozef Tomko]], the [[consecrator|co-consecrators]] being Bishops Silas Silvius Njiru and Raphael Ndingi Mwana'a Nzeki. He served as President of the Kenyan [[Episcopal Conference]] from 1997 to 2003 and was named [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri|Coadjutor Archbishop of Nyeri]] on 23 January 2002. Following the murder of [[Luigi Locati|Bishop Luigi Locati]], he served as [[Apostolic Administrator]] [[Vicariate Apostolic of Isiolo|of Isolo]] from 2005 to 2006.
Njue was appointed [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi|Archbishop of Nairobi]] on 6 October 2007 and was [[Enthronement|installed]] on the following 1 November. Shortly afterwards, he was created [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal-Priest]] of [[Preziosissimo Sangue di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo]] by [[Pope Benedict XVI]] in the [[Papal consistory|consistory]] of 24 November 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/2007/documents/ns_lit_doc_20071124_titoli_en.html|title=Titular Churches of the new Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church|date=24 November 2007|publisher=[[Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff|Office of Papal Liturgical Celebrations]]|access-date=10 August 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160728233733/https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/2007/documents/ns_lit_doc_20071124_titoli_en.html|archive-date=28 July 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 12 June 2008 he was named a member of the [[Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples]] and the [[Congregation for the Clergy]].<ref>{{cite news | access-date = 10 August 2018 | work = Zenit | url = https://zenit.org/articles/papal-appointments-give-prelates-multiple-tasks/ | date = 12 June 2008 | title = Papal Appointments Give Prelates Multiple Tasks | archive-date = 10 August 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180810210943/https://zenit.org/articles/papal-appointments-give-prelates-multiple-tasks/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> On 29 December 2011 he was appointed a member of the [[Pontifical Council for Social Communications]] for a five-year renewable term.<ref>{{cite press release| publisher= Holy See Press Office | url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2011/12/29/0775/01867.html |title= Rinunce e Nomine, 29.12.2011 | language = it | access-date= 24 January 2018 |date=29 December 2011 }}</ref> Cardinal Njue serves as Vice President of the [[International Catholic Migration Commission]].
On 28 March 2013, he appealed for calm and peace during the upcoming Easter season as the [[Supreme Court of Kenya]] prepared to announce its verdict in the disputed initial round of the presidential election held on 4 March between [[Uhuru Kenyatta]] and Kenya's Prime Minister [[Raila Odinga]]. Kenyatta and Deputy President-elect [[William Ruto]] were facing charges at the [[International Criminal Court]] (ICC) at [[The Hague]] that they instigated post-electoral violence in Kenya after the 2007 election.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2013/cardinal-urges-kenyans-to-accept-court-verdict-on-election.cfm | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180125020423/http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2013/cardinal-urges-kenyans-to-accept-court-verdict-on-election.cfm | url-status= dead | archive-date= 25 January 2018 | work=Catholic News Service | title= Cardinal urges Kenyans to accept court verdict on election | first= Walter | last= Cheruiyot | access-date=24 January 2018 | date= 29 March 2013}}</ref>
He was one of the [[Cardinal electors in Papal conclave, 2013|cardinal electors]] who participated in the [[Papal conclave, 2013|2013 papal conclave]] that elected [[Pope Francis]].<ref>{{cite news | access-date = 10 August 2018 | work = Zenit |title= List of Cardinal Electors |date= 12 March 2013 | url = https://zenit.org/articles/list-of-cardinal-electors/ }}</ref>
On 30 November 2013, Njue was named a member of the [[Congregation for Catholic Education]] by [[Pope Francis]].<ref>{{cite press release| publisher= Holy See Press Office | url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2013/11/30/0795/01791.html |title= Rinunce e Nomine, 30.11.2013 | language = it | access-date= 24 January 2018 |date=30 November 2013 }}</ref>
In June 2013, after US President [[Barack Obama]], whose father was a Kenyan, said during an official visit to [[Senegal]] that African governments should follow the US example in taking action on gay rights,<ref>{{cite news|work=France24 |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20130627-obama-urges-progress-gay-rights-democracy-trade-africa-visit-senegal/ |title= Obama pushes gay rights in Africa on Senegal trip | date= 27 June 2013 | access-date= 24 January 2018}}</ref> Njue replied "Let him forget, forget and forget". He said that the United States has "ruined their own societies" and that he does not "think God was making a mistake when he created Adam and Eve".<ref>{{cite news| first=Felix |last=Olick |url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000087056 |title= Adam and Eve was no mistake, Cardinal Njue tells US President Obama | work= Standard Digital |date=29 June 2013 | access-date= 24 January 2018}}</ref> A few weeks later, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya, Archbishop [[Charles Daniel Balvo]], alongside Bishop [[Paul Kariuki Njiru]] of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Embu|Embu]], told a Catholic assembly that "The homosexuals should be defended against violation of their dignity and human rights, they are human beings like anyone of us."<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2013/07/01/popes-envoy-champions-gays-and-lebians-rights_c795004 | access-date = 10 August 2018 | title = Pope's envoy champions gays and lebians rights | date = 1 July 2013 | work = The Star | archive-date = 10 August 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180810235615/https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2013/07/01/popes-envoy-champions-gays-and-lebians-rights_c795004 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
In March 2014, Njue advised against participation in a free government program to vaccinate women of reproductive age against tetanus. He said that targeting women was "fishy". Other critics suggested the program was a disguised form of birth control. Government health officials said they were accustomed to such rumors from the government's critics.<ref>{{cite news | access-date = 10 August 2018 | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/kenyan-cardinal-john-njue-tells-congregation-that-tetanus-vaccination-programme-for-pregnant-women-9214994.html | work = The Independent | title = Kenyan Cardinal John Njue tells congregation that tetanus vaccination programme for pregnant women 'is a bit fishy'| date= 25 March 2014 | first = Kashmira | last= Gander}}</ref> He led the Kenyan bishops in a campaign against the WHO-sponsored vaccination program, asserting that the vaccine was designed to lower fertility.<ref>{{cite news | access-date = 10 August 2018 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2014/11/14/the-tense-standoff-between-catholic-bishops-and-the-kenyan-government-over-tetanus-vaccines/ | title = The tense standoff between Catholic bishops and the Kenyan government over tetanus vaccines | date= 14 November 2014 | newspaper = Washington Post | first = Abby|last= Ohlheiser}}</ref>
In June 2017, at a celebration of Family Day, Njue criticized men who put roadblocks in the way of marriages by making exorbitant demands for payment from the groom's family ([[bride price]]).<ref>{{cite news | access-date = 10 August 2018 | work = Nairobi News | date=19 June 2017 | url = https://nairobinews.nation.co.ke/news/cardinal-njue-dowry-daughters/ | title = Cardinal Njue Slams Fathers for Asking 'Unreasonable Dowry' for Daughters}}</ref>
Pope Francis accepted his resignation as Archbishop of Nairobi on 4 January 2021.<ref>{{cite press release | publisher = Holy See Press Office | access-date = 4 January 2021 | date= 4 January 2021| url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2021/01/04/0007/00012.html | language = it | title = Rinunce e nomine, 04.01.2021 }}</ref> Despite being eligible to serve as an [[cardinal elector|elector]], Njue was one of two eligible cardinal electors (the other being [[Antonio Cañizares Llovera]] of [[Spain]]) who did not participate in the [[2025 papal conclave]] because of health problems.<ref>{{cite news |last=Millare |first=Kristina |title=2 cardinal electors, from Spain and Kenya, will not attend upcoming conclave |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/263763/2-cardinal-electors-from-spain-and-kenya-will-not-attend-upcoming-conclave |access-date=30 April 2025 |work=[[Catholic News Agency]] |date=30 April 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
==Notes== {{Noteslist}}
==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links== * {{cite web| access-date = 3 December 2017| title= Njue Card. John |publisher= [[Holy See Press Office]] | url= https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_njue_j.html | url-status=live | archive-date= 4 September 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170904062944/http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_njue_j.html }} * {{cite interview | access-date = 10 August 2018 |work = 30Days | date= November 2007 | url = http://www.30giorni.it/articoli_id_16458_l3.htm | title = The mission of Christ is the mission of the Church | first= Davide | last= Malacaria }}
{{s-start}} {{s-rel|ca}} {{s-break}} {{s-non|reason=Diocese created}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Embu|Bishop of Embu]]|years=9 June 1986 – 9 March 2002}} {{s-aft|after=[[Anthony Muheria]]}} {{s-break}} {{s-bef|before=[[Raphael S. Ndingi Mwana a'Nzeki|Raphael S. Ndingi Mwana'a Nzeki]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi|Archbishop of Nairobi]]|years=6 October 2007 – 4 January 2021}} {{s-aft|after=[[Philip Anyolo]]}} {{s-break}} {{s-non|reason=Titular church established}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Preziosissimo Sangue di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo|Cardinal-Priest of Preziosissimo Sangue di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo]]|years=24 November 2007 –}} {{s-inc}} {{s-end}}
{{Cardinals created by Benedict XVI}} {{Cardinals of the Catholic Church|state=collapsed}} {{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Njue, John}} [[Category:1946 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Embu County]] [[Category:Kenyan cardinals]] [[Category:20th-century Roman Catholic bishops in Kenya]] [[Category:21st-century Roman Catholic archbishops in Kenya]] [[Category:Cardinals created by Pope Benedict XVI]] [[Category:Pontifical Lateran University alumni]] [[Category:Pontifical Urban University alumni]] [[Category:Members of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications]] [[Category:Members of the Congregation for the Clergy]] [[Category:Roman Catholic archbishops of Nairobi]] [[Category:Anglican bishops of Embu]] [[Category:Roman Catholic archbishops of Nyeri]] [[Category:Roman Catholic bishops of Embu]] [[Category:Roman Catholic bishops of Murang'a]] [[Category:Kenyan Roman Catholics]] [[Category:Kenyan Roman Catholic bishops]] [[Category:Kenyan expatriates in Italy]]