{
  "id": 6248317,
  "title": "Italian priest quits Catholic Church, marries Kenyan woman in traditional ceremony",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/italian-priest-quits-catholic-church-marries-kenyan-woman-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T07:08:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/italian-priest-quits-catholic-church-marries-kenyan-woman-in-traditional-ceremony/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Sandro Ferretto, a 55-year-old former Italian Catholic priest, has left the priesthood and married a Kenyan woman, Jepng'ok, in a traditional ceremony. According to Daily Trust, Ferretto served as a Catholic parish priest in Kasiela and Mochongoi in Baringo County, Kenya, before beginning the process of leaving the priesthood.\n\nFerretto was ordained a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Padua in Italy and began his missionary work in Kenya in 2008. He became known for his pastoral work, youth programmes, and community development initiatives during his time in Baringo. After returning to Italy in December 2020, Ferretto led a pastoral unit in Saletto, Borgo Veneto, before stepping down for a period of reflection.\n\nThe couple formalised their union through a Koito ceremony, a Kalenjin customary marriage rite, on Sunday, September 6, in Baringo County. The ceremony was attended by relatives, community elders, local leaders, and Jepng'ok's colleagues.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Trust",
        "title": "Catholic cleric quits priesthood, marries Kenyan woman",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/catholic-cleric-quits-priesthood-marries-kenyan-woman",
        "published": "2026-09-07T18:41:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Italian priest quits Catholic Church, marries Kenyan woman in traditional ceremony",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/italian-priest-quits-catholic-church-marries-kenyan-woman-in-6255199",
        "published": "2026-09-08T08:03:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}