Father William Oruko, AJ, receives transfer to Archdiocese of Portland

Father Oruko

Father William Oruko, AJ, who has served in the Diocese of Knoxville since 2003, has been reassigned by his order, the Apostles of Jesus, to serve in Oregon.

Father Oruko, who is from Kenya, has served at Sacred Heart Cathedral, St. Mary Parish in Oak Ridge, St. Mary Parish in Athens, and lastly at St. Dominic in Kingsport.

Bishop Richard F. Stika said he was informed of the transfer in early September by Father Augustine Idra, AJ, who is the regional superior of the Apostles of Jesus.

Father Oruko’s transfer was effective Oct. 1.

“Our dear friend Father Augustine Idra informed me that he was transferring Father William from the Diocese of Knoxville to serve in the Archdiocese of Portland. Father William has provided excellent priestly ministry within our diocese since 2003. His contagious smile and love of the faithful has enriched all of us who have been privileged to know him. I will miss Father William and ask you to please join me in praying for him as he begins this new journey and assignment,” Bishop Stika said in a letter to members of the diocese.

Father Massawe

With the transfer of Father Oruko, the Apostles of Jesus have assigned Father Emmanuel Massawe, AJ, to serve in the Diocese of Knoxville.

“I will be appointing Father Emmanuel as parochial vicar to St. Dominic Church in Kingsport, effective Oct. 2. Father Emmanuel was born in Tanzania and will be coming to us from Cleveland, Ohio, where he just finished obtaining a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from John Carroll University,” Bishop Stika added. “As we say good bye to our faithful friend Father William, let us offer an East Tennessee welcome to Father Emmanuel.”