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Legion Maria of African Church Mission — also known as Legion Maria — is an African initiated church or new religious movement initiating among the Luo people of western Kenya, which is an extension of an interpretation of the Three Secrets of Fátima to a new, albeit African, context. The religious movement was initiated by repeated appearances of a mystic woman to several Roman Catholic members delivering messages about the incarnation of the son of God as a black man. These appearances are said to have begun around 1938, almost simultaneous with the beginning of Edel Quinn’s lay catholic mission on behalf of the Legion of Mary to Africa.

By the early 1960s, the movement had assembled a good number of catechists, acolytes, and believers in a spiritual return of Jesus Christ. The continuous expansion of this movement coupled with its belief in Simeo Ondetto as the returned Son of God led to theological tension, and eventual break with the lay Catholic movement, the Legion of Mary. Legion Maria was legally registered in Kenya in 1966 as a church, expanded massively in the late 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, and eventually spread to many countries in Africa, including Uganda, Tanzania, Congo, Zaire, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Nigeria. In 1966, one of its founders, Mama Maria, died and was buried at Efeso Church, in Nzoia, Siaya County, while the principal founder, His most peaceful Baba Simeo Melchior Ondetto, died in 1991 and was buried in Got Calvary, in Migori County.

By the early 1960s, the movement had assembled a good number of catechists, acolytes, and believers in a spiritual return of Jesus Christ. The continuous expansion of this movement coupled with its belief in His most peaceful Baba Simeo Melchior Ondetto as the returned Son of God led to theological tension, and eventual break with the lay Catholic movement, the Legion of Mary.

Legion Maria was legally registered in Kenya in 1966 as a church, expanded massively in the late 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, and eventually spread to many countries in Africa, including Uganda, Tanzania, Congo, Zaire, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Nigeria. In 1966, one of its founders, Mama Maria, died and was buried at Efeso Church, in Nzoia, Siaya County, while the principal founder, Simeo Ondetto, died in 1991 and was buried in Got Calvary, in Migori County.

Official hierarchy

The full official title for Simeo Ondeto became Baba Simeo Lodvikus Melkio, the eternal spiritual leader and mediator of Legion Maria.

The administrative duties of the church were put under a Pope. So far, there have been five such Popes:

  • Pope Timothy Joseph Blasio Atila (1963–1998).
  • Pope Maria Pius Lawrence Jairo Chiaji K’Adera (1998–2004)
  • Pope Raphael Titus Otieno (2004–2009)
  • Pope Romanus Alfonsius Ogola Ong’mbe (2009-2020)
  • Pope Laurence Ochieng’ (2020- present)

By 2009, there were differences in Legion Maria that led to the consecration of a Cardinal Romanus Alphonse Ong’ombe, going against the order of succession placed by Simeo Ondeto and enforced by Our Lady. The differences between the two leaders has taken Legion Maria to the courts more than three times, and the differences still persist.[1] The differences will soon end. “Baba Simeo Ondetto  foretold these differences and said that Legion Maria’s unity will return under the third pope.[2]” Under the popes are over 500 deacons, 350 priests, 60 bishops, 21 archbishops and 17 cardinals. Currently, all these lower hierarchies swear allegiance to the different sides led by Adika and On’gombe.[20] Some notable people on the On’gombe side are On’gawo Aloo (Cardinal Camerlengo), Owino Obimbo (Cardinal Dean–deceased), Romanus Odongo (Arch-bishop-Rongo), the late Susana nyar Ouma (Ondetto’s cook – deceased), and Bishop Melkio. Notable people on Adika’s side are Cardinal Joseph Atieno (Dean of Cardinals – deceased), Maurice Akello (Cardinal Deacon), Bishop Peter Onyango Abuto, Elias Komenya, Mother Dorina (Ka-Baru), and Hellena nyar Rosari.[2] A parallel hierarchy to the male priesthood is the Legion Maria women priesthood that is led by Nuns (Mothers). Legion nuns are married women who are ordained.[2] The lowest female rank in Legion Maria church is sisterhood, then mother (heads a mission), superior mother (heads a diocese), arch mother (heads an arch diocese), and Dean mother (head of legion mothers).[2] Below the clergy are church teachers and church administrators who are elected by the faithful. Prophets are also core to the Legion Maria mission because the church is Spirit Initiated.