Italian Missionary Priest Quits Catholic Church To Marry Kenyan Woman
Italian Missionary Priest Quits Catholic Church To Marry Kenyan Woman
Father Sandro Ferretto, a former Catholic parish priest who served in Kasiela and Mochongoi in Baringo County, Kenya, has married Sharon Jepng’ok, the daughter of former councillor John Wendot, in a traditional Koito ceremony at Seretion Village in Kasiela, Baringo South.
According to Kenyan news outlet Tuko, Ferretto’s journey to marriage is one that few would have anticipated.
He reportedly first met Sharon while carrying out missionary work in the Baringo region. Their relationship eventually led him to leave the priesthood and pursue a life with Sharon and the prospect of building a family.
The Koito ceremony, an important Kalenjin tradition involving formal dowry negotiations and the seeking of family blessings, brought together relatives, community members, local leaders and Sharon’s colleagues to witness the union.
Ferretto embraced the Tugen customs throughout the ceremony, taking part in the traditional proceedings in what was described as a warm and inclusive celebration.
The wedding also represented a rare blend of Italian and Tugen cultures, with the former priest participating in customs far removed from the religious life he had known while serving in the Catholic Church.
The ceremony at Seretion Village also highlighted how deeply Ferretto had become connected to the Baringo community where he previously served as a priest.
The union attracted significant attention on Kenyan social media, with users reacting with a mixture of humour and fascination to the unusual story.
Some commenters joked that Ferretto had chosen Mursik, the traditional Kalenjin fermented milk, over the sacramental altar wine associated with his former life as a priest.
