Maurice Michael Otunga

Childhood and conversion Maurice Michael Otunga was born in 1923 to Wasike Lusweti Sudi (a chieftain of the Bukusu) tribe) and Rosa Namisi. His father followed traditional African religion. Otunga attended the four sessions of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). In 1969 he was promoted to the Titular Archbishop of Bomarza. Later that year, on 15 November 1969, Pope Paul VI nominated him as the Coadjutor Bishop of Nairobi. He would succeed the current archbishop as its head upon his resignation. He succeeded as the Archbishop of Nairobi on 24 October 1971. He was president of the Bishop's Conference of Kenya. ==Legacy and honors==

In late 2016 the government named a street in Nairobi in his honour: "Cardinal Otunga Road". ==Beatification process==

In 2005 plans were announced to consider and launch the cause for the late cardinal's beatification. National bishops made their "ad limina apostolorum" visit to Rome in November 2007 and sought advice on the matter from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The formal petition to the cause was made to Cardinal John Njue on 30 October 2009. Njue wrote on 6 November to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints requesting their approval to initiate the cause. This diocesan investigation closed on 28 September 2013. The documents were sealed in boxes and given to the papal nuncio Charles Daniel Balvo for transfer to the C.C.S. in Rome. The first postulator for this cause died on 12 August 2012. Since 1 September 2012, the current postulator has been Dr. Waldery Hilgeman. ==Views==

Condoms Otunga opposed the use of condoms for any purpose because of their use for contraception. He urged people to exercise abstinence for birth control. He said that condoms did not solve the HIV/AIDS crisis. He met with local Islamic leaders to jointly conduct ceremonial public bonfires to burn condoms. Family planning Otunga strongly criticized family planning activists. For instance, he said: Abortion Otunga was a strong critic of abortion. He said that human life was sacred from the moment of conception until natural death. Education Otunga supported President Moi's reforms to end sexual education curriculum in schools. Assistant minister Sharif Nassir on 7 January 1987 had asked Otunga to read and understand the Quran, in order to better work for inter-religious dialogue. ==References==