‘Why I Left the Priesthood’, Ex-Catholic Priest Patrick Waweru Reveals

“Former Catholic priest Rev. Patrick Waweru explains why he left the Roman Catholic Church after four years to pursue marriage and family life. He discusses his personal convictions, his transition to the Charismatic movement, and why his exit was not due to conflict with the Church.”

Former Roman Catholic priest, Rev. Patrick Waweru, has shared the story behind his decision to leave the priesthood, get married, and raise a family—an outcome that has drawn public curiosity and mixed reactions.

Rev. Waweru, who trained at the Society of Mary Seminary in Nairobi, said he successfully completed his formation and served as a Catholic priest for four years before choosing a different path. He now ministers under the Charismatic Roman Catholic movement, a group that previously operated within the Roman Catholic Church but later separated.

Reflecting on his time as a priest, Waweru said he had joined the Church with full dedication, but over time, his personal convictions and understanding of life began to shift. According to him, “I realised the reality at the altar was different from what I expected when I joined the seminary.”

He also noted that he struggled with certain internal issues he observed among clergy members, saying these experiences made him reevaluate his calling. “I wanted to live my life transparently and without fear of judgement,” he said, explaining why he chose to embrace a path outside priestly celibacy.

Three years into his priesthood, Waweru made the decision to pursue marriage. He eventually met his future wife, and today, the couple is happily married with five children.

Importantly, Rev. Waweru stressed that his departure from the Roman Catholic Church was not the result of conflict or mistreatment. “My decision to leave was purely personal. The Church did not harm me in any way,” he clarified.

He shared more details of his journey in a video interview, urging viewers to listen to his story and share their opinions.