Legio Maria,
fully known as the Legion Maria of African church Mission, or Maria Legio, is a
new religious movement that emerged from the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) lay
movement called the Legion of Mary. The new movement first attracted adherents
around Western Kenya regions, with a massive following among the Luo community
of Nyanza Province, Kenya. Then it
spread massively to the neighboring countries of Uganda and Tanzania, Congo and
Zaire, Rwanda and South Sudan, carried to those places by immigrant believers.
Simeo
Ondeto’s new movement is unique. Just like Christianity was an offshoot of
Judaism but had the unique doctrine of belief in Jesus as God; Legio Maria has
the doctrine of divinity of Simeo Ondeto which makes the movement unique and
completely different from other Christian churches. Indeed, the worship of
Ondeto makes Legio Maria essentially a new religion with links to Christianity
and not a Christian denomination as many tend to think. And like the emergence of Christianity from
Judaism, Legio Maria has a passionate start that includes persecution of Simeo
Ondeto and his memorable victories over his persecutors.
Factors behind the Rise of Legio Maria
(A). The Missionary Activities Of Legion Of Mary In
Kenya
Just like
the formation of Christianity, Legio Maria developed gradually. The first major factor behind the rise and
development of Legio Maria was the missionary activities of the Roman Catholic
lay Movement, Legion of Mary. In fact, the ground for Legio Maria was prepared
by the missionary activities of Edel Quinn in Kenya in the late 1930s. Quinn
led the Catholic Legion of Mary movement into spreading across Kenya, gaining
adherents, and empowering lay people to worship God. According to Legio Marias,
this spread was the work of God in the preparation for the fulfillment of
Mary’s prophecy of Fatima in Portugal that she would come to Africa in the
1960s. By 1940s, the Catholic Lay movement had enabled many people to know
crucial facts of the Bible, to say prayers according to the Tassera, and to
work as auxiliary catechists in their local gatherings.
(B). The Fatima Apparition of Mary in 1917
The second
factor behind the rise and growth of Legio Maria is the Fatima Apparition of
Virgin Mary in 1917. It is the Third Secret of Fatima that was given to Lucia
Santos by Virgin Mary that has been cited as one of the major prophecies for a
Marian Movement in the 1960s. According to Legio Maria members, Mary had told
Lucia that she should not reveal the secret until the 1960s when the meaning of
the secret would be clearer; which, they insist, was a direct declaration of
the time when Legio Maria would start in Kenya.
(C). The
Convergence of Luo Mythical Stories with Legio Maria Narratives
The third
factor that led to the rise and development of Legio Maria was the mythical
stories about a woman called Min Omolo Ka-Nyunja. The Luos have two stories,
the Simbi Nyaima Narrative (a crater lake in Karachuonyo of Homabay County
believed to have been caused by a mysterious wandering woman) and the
Nyamgondho Kombare Narrative (story of a woman fished out from the lake) which
converge with the Legio Maria narrative of Min Omolo Ka-Nyunja (the story of
Mama Maria who was a wandering woman across the Luo nation). Former Catholics
who converted to Legio Maria, such as Petro Oswago, Juma Pesa, and Atila
Timotheo, recounted how this woman visited them in Catholic and called them out
to join the new Legio Maria movement. When this old woman, around 90 years of
age, finally met with Simeo Ondeto and called him her spiritual son, the
spiritual link between Ondeto, this woman, and the mythical stories retold
among the Luo coalesced into a powerful force for propelling the formation of a
new religious movement.
(D). Simeo Ondeto Called Himself Son of God
The Fourth
factor is Ondeto’s open and blatant statements that he was the Son of God and
the return of Jesus. Simeo was a man of mystery right from childhood as is
retold by his elder brother Owino Obimbo. However, this would have not made him
known as God unless he talked about his status. So when he started preaching to
people at Segegi in Migori about his
God’s Kingdom, Simeo made it clear that he was equal or just the same person as
Jesus. He proved his claims by telling people everything they wanted to know
about heaven, giving true descriptions of past and present events in the lives
of the people who went to him, and by healing the sick.
By 1959,
Simeo Ondeto had attracted a following of more than 20, 000 people across Luo
Nyanza and Tanzania Mara District. These people traveled to visit him at
Segegi. His profile improved quickly due to his many miracles and wonders, such
as raising a dead man in Gombania Church in Tanzania and healing Salome Owiny
who had bled for over 10 years. And when
he was narrating how the father had sent him to earth, he promised that God
would help him to start a religious movement that would be characterized by the
power of the Holy Spirit. So, many people were excited about his movement and
became his followers.
(E). Legio Maria Pentecostal Day
The fifth
factor that established Legio Maria as a religious movement was the immense
charismatic and prophetic power of adherents. Prior to the Legio Maria
Pentecostal day, there were members of the movement who had power to exorcise
evil spirits and heal the sick. Vitalis Okelo Oketa and Simeo Ondeto were such
members of the movement. But after the
Pentecostal Day of March 9, 1962, a massive spiritual power was poured among
the faithful and there arose numerous powerful prophets who could take the
movement’s message far and wide. Some of the most notable prophets of the early
1960s were Tobias Oongo, Silvester Okweto, Silas of Imbo, Gaudencia Aoko, and
Kepha of Asumbi.
Moreover, it
is during the Legio Maria Pentecostal Day that a group of over 1150 followers
of Simeo Ondeto who were gathered at John Baru’s home had a public revelation
and heard the declaration of the Holy Spirit that Simeo Ondeto is the son of
God. On that day, Legio Maria members saw Simeo Ondeto seated on the throne of
heaven and passing judgment on the living and the dead. Simeo was also being
worshipped by angels and saints of heaven. And the saints and angels joined
Legio Maria members at John Baru’s home, giving them an incredible communion
with heaven that stirred an unwavering faith in the members.
Most
importantly, the Holy Spirit was donated to the members of the faith by Simeo
Melkio Ondeto and those who rebelled from him soon lost their charismatic
powers. This occurred to Mercelianus Orongo of Tanzania Mara and Gaudencia Aoko
of Kano Kenya who rebelled from Simeo and lost their charismatic and prophetic
powers quickly. So, after the Legio Maria Pentecost, Simeo Ondeto became
officially acknowledged as God by Legios.
(F) Persecutions of Legio Maria
Nothing
binds people together as suffering together. And Legio Maria benefited
immensely from the unity that arose from their suffering and struggles in the
years 1963-1966 when Simeo Ondeto and members of the faith were arrested,
beaten and detained. Some Legios suffered and died during the persecutions.
Some were tortured and had their faith tested by brutality. The scorn and
insults, the public derision and hatred that was directed towards Legio Maria,
made the members even stronger and inspired them to work hard and recruit more
members. The period between 1963 and1966 saw great development and
restructuring of the faith, the creation of official hierarchy, and the
creation of primal theology. And in 1966, the religious movement was officially
registered as a church.
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Beliefs of Legio Maria
What are the
most fundamental beliefs of Legio Maria? Just as many other religious
movements, Legio Maria movement has several doctrines that define its
membership. They include:
1. Simeo Ondeto Is the Son Of God: Legio Maria faithful worship Simeo
Ondeto as God. To them, he is Jesus Christ.
2. Jesus Second Coming Was
Fulfilled by Ondeto’s Coming: in Legio Maria, the much awaited second
coming of Jesus was fulfilled in Simeo Ondeto. There is no other return of the
Son of God expected. The belief emanates from the words of Simeo Ondeto himself
who said that “my children, I have returned. Truly, I have returned.”
3. Simeo Ondeto is the Glory of
God: The glory of God is a biblical phrase that implies the splendid light
and greatness of God that was often associated with the cloud and fire that
accompanied the Israelites during their sojourn in the wilderness. The New
Testament promise that Jesus would come in the clouds resonates with the
visions of Ezekiel who sees the glory of God coming in the clouds, and the
prophesies of Daniel about the coming of the son of man. In Legio Maria, the coming of Ondeto is
believed to have occurred from the clouds. Indeed, Legio Maria prophets such as
Silvester Okweto and Wilfrida Magel pronounced the coming of Simeo Ondeto upon
the clouds long before many of his followers discovered he had physical parents
in the name of Margret Aduwo and Obimbo ka-Msumba.
4. Mama Maria is the spiritual mother of Simeo Ondeto: Legio Maria
benefited from the work of an old woman known to Legio Marias as Mama Maria, or
simply as Bikra Maria. The origin and birth place of this woman is not known.
Indeed, while some speculated that the woman was from Alego, Kaudida clan, and
was probably married there long before her appearance as Legio Maria’s Virgin
Mary, the most dominant side of the woman’s story border on the mythical and
mysterious. Legios believe that this woman is the same one that appears in Luo
tales such as Min Omolo Ka-Nyunja, Nyamgondho Kombare and Simbi Nyaima, but
Mama Maria appeared in the scene in 1962, met with Simeo Ondeto at Johanes
Baru’s home, led Legios in building the first and most prominent church (St
Joseph Kalafare/ nowadays called St Mary Kalafare in honor of Mama Maria), and
helped, together with Simeo Ondeto, to lay the foundation of the new religious
movement.
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5. Endless life: While Christians believe in resurrection of the dead
as a way of allowing people to enjoy life after death, Legio Marias believe in
endless life. According to Legio Maria
teachings, life is a form of energy that is only transformed from state to
state and that is eternally indestructible. When Legio Maria faithful die, they
simply cross over to the next state of life, which is the spiritual and most
lasting state. The belief in endless life explains why Legio Maria believes
that Ondeto did not have to resurrect with his body to continue living after his
death. He was always living before and after his physical death (the return)
and will always be there for them. Legio faithful also become saints soon after
death and may even be adored by faithful sooner. For instance, Timotheo Atila,
who was the movement’s first pope, is adored by Legios. Other Legio Saints that
are frequently adored include Carilus Mumbo, Philip Odero, Angi Clement, Petro
Otieno, and Tobias Oongo.
6. The End of the World: In practice, Legio Maria faithful do not
believe in the end of the world and another return of the Son of God. However,
due to the blend of beliefs with Catholics and other Christians, some may still
talk about the end of times and the coming of Jesus again. In Legio theology,
one dies to be with the Lord. It is a person’s work for God that wins him
eternal bliss (light) or eternal suffering (darkness). So, in Legio theology,
there are no people resting or sleeping in their graves and awaiting the return
of Jesus. In fact, Legios typically pray for their dead on the third and the
seventh day after burial to help them find favor with God. Similarly, Legio
Maria faithful do not believe in another return of the Son of God. They do not
believe in physical hell burning the world, but in spiritual suffering for the
sinful.
7. The clergy and the Laity: Legio Maria has a robust and active
clergy, but it also has an active laity. Lay people pray using the rosary and
Catena when they are on their own, but attend mass every time a priest is
around. A sacrificial meal is offered to God for blessing by the priest in a
form similar to the Christian Eucharist (especially the Catholic Mass) and then
given to the faithful. The communion has not changed much in terms of how it is
offered in Legio Maria and Catholic, but the insistence on spiritual worship
over ceremonialism is greater.
Historical Sites of Legio Maria
1. Got
Kalafare
Legio Maria
has numerous historical sites. The most important one is Got Kalafare, which
also doubles as the movement’s headquarters. Initially, the hill was a shrine
for traditional Luo sacrifices and was known as Got Okwon’g located 15 km west
of the south-western Kenyan town of Migori. When the relationship between the
lay movement that followed the teachings and charismatic appeals of Simeo
Ondeto and the local Catholic Church got strained, the police officers involved
advised that Ondeto get a piece of land and build his own independent church.
Soon, Mama
Maria gave Silvester Okweto a vision directing him to survey the nearby hill,
which was Okwon’g. Okweto found the woman at the site that is now Kalafare as
he walked through the thickets in what was a rapturous moment for the Legio
prophet. The site was built and completed in 1963 and Legio Maria adherents had
moved into the headquarters by December 1963. Got Kalafare is also the site
where Ondeto’s passionate persecutions occurred. Simeo was arrested one
December night in 1963 at around 2.00 a.m. and frog-matched to the nearest
Migori prison remand. He was later
charged in Homabay law courts with holding illegal meetings and refusing to
allow faithful Legios to be vaccinated against small-pox, among other charges.
Later on in 1966, the huts in the church were brought down by local police in
one of the bloodiest of Legio Maria persecutions. Simeo never returned to live
in Got Kalafare while physically alive and insisted he would only be buried
there. Today, Kalafare is the burial site of Ondeto’s remains and is a site
visited by many local and international tourists.
2.
Jerusalem Amoyo
Legio
Maria’s St Mary Basilica in Amoyo played the role of the leading church for
almost 4 decades, since 1966. After Kalafare was brought down by the persecutions,
Simeo Ondeto moved from Suna Migori to the nearby Kadem location, but still
lived in Migori. He always traveled across Kenya and beyond, preaching to
people but returned to Amoyo at the end of every tour. Indeed, many Legio
converts would have thought of Jerusalem as the leading Legio church, even
going by its name. When Simeo died, the local Kadem clan refused to allow
Simeo’s remains to be taken to the neighboring Suna location. Indeed, they
demonstrated their resolve by burying Simeo’s body. The body was only exhumed
in the presence of local police officers and taken to Calvary under police
guard. Moreover, recently in 2010, when differences emerged between leading
Legio Maria leaders, Romanus On’gombe and Rafael Adika, the Jerusalem church
sided with Adika while the Kalafare Church sided with On’gombe. Jerusalem
church is also home to the second Legio Maria pope Lawrence Chiaji Adera and
will remain a pillar of Legio Maria for many years to come.
3.
Efeso Nzoia
The first
two sites already mentioned fall in the Southern region of former Nyanza
province, Kenya. However, the third most important church for Legio, the
Ephesus church is located in former Central Nyanza, in the present Siaya County. The church is engrained in Legio Maria
tradition because of the persecutions of 1964, which included two arrests of
Simeo Ondeto and his followers.
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First, Simeo
was arrested with some followers and taken to the nearest Ukwala police station
after the local Catholic Church reported to the police that Legios wanted to
burn their church, Sega Catholic Parish. The release was soon followed by a
second bloody arrest in which some Legios like Petro Otieno lost their lives.
In the second arrest Ondeto and around 37 Legio followers were taken to Kodiaga
prison in Kisumu and charged with holding illegal meetings, forcing children to
drop out of school, causing havocs in families, and promoting religious
extremism. Efeso church is also the burial site of Mama Maria, who died at the
church in December 1966.
4.
St Peter Manyatta
Located at
the heart of Kisumu City, the church is historical because it was the place
where Simeo Ondeto died in September 5th 1991. There are claims that Ondeto was
first poisoned while in Legio’s Bardin’g Church in Alego, Siaya County, and was
poisoned again two times by his maidens in Manyatta church.
5. Other
Historic Churches
Kodero,
Awasi Church (called Bethlehem because it was the birthplace of Simeo Ondeto),
Nazareth Church, St Helena Kariobangi, and Makindani Church Mombasa.
The Link between Legio Maria and Christianity
Legio Maria
has borrowed a lot from the Roman Catholic Church and was registered in 1966 as
a Christian Church. However, while it has benefited from its origin in the
Catholic Legion of Mary lay movement, the new movement has beliefs that are
completely foreign to Orthodox Christianity and should, therefore, be
considered a new religious movement.
For instance, while Christians believe in
salvation through the sacrifice (ransom) of Jesus, Legios go a step further to
believe in salvation and grace through the coming and sacrifice of Simeo
Ondeto. Legio Maria has a parallel of
Virgin Mary the mother of Jesus in the African woman called Mama Maria.
Besides, Legio Maria has a new Pentecostal day attributed to the coming of the
Holy Spirit at the home of John Baru.
Moreover,
while Christians await the second coming of Jesus, Legio Maria talks of Ondeto
as the returned Lord and looks forward to meeting him in paradise after their
death. And instead of a physical resurrection at the end of time, Legio Maria
has immediate “resurrection” after death. Furthermore, with Simeo Ondeto taking
the place of Jesus Christ, Legio Maria is completely a new religious movement
which is just yet to make a permanent break with Christianity just as
Christianity broke away from Judaism.
Nonetheless,
the mainstream Legio Maria church is yet to break away from Christianity. And
while attempted breaks are already existent, such as the Yie Kuom Chier
(Believers in Simeo Ondeto’s Bodily Resurrection) movement that is fostering
total worship and praise of Simeo in services instead of Jesus Christ,
mainstream Legios still unify Jesus and Ondeto in their worship without giving
too much emphasis on either.
But from a
far, one can sense the break coming. And even though total break with
Christianity will take quite awhile because Legio Maria theologians are still
confronting the challenges of such a complete break, the clamor for
independence from Christianity is building and the gradual break from Christianity
is gaining momentum. According to Samwel of Gwassi, a respected Legio Maria
preacher and theologian, the issues that Legio must still confront are numerous
and it cannot still make independent theological pronouncements on certain
issues because of few talented people at work in those areas. However, Samwel
is optimistic that 100 years coming (by year 2115) will find when Legio has
made massive strides towards its independence as a world religion.
“Lord Simeo Melkio, you founded this Legion Maria
movement as an ark for the glorification of men. Grant that we trust in your
promises and work towards the glorification of our souls in eternal life. May
we live lives worthy of your believers until we come before your throne in
heaven. Amen.”