“Love Is Powerful”: Italian Former Catholic Priest Marries African Woman in Traditional Ceremony

• Former Catholic priest Father Sandro Ferretto left the priesthood to marry his Kenyan partner, Sharon Jepng'ok
• The couple held a traditional Kalenjin Koito dowry ceremony at Seretion Village in Baringo South
• The rare Italian-Kalenjin union drew warm celebrations from social media users across Kenya

An Italian-born former Catholic priest has traded his priestly robes for a very different kind of commitment. Father Sandro Ferretto, who once served as a parish priest in Kenya, married his Kenyan partner, Sharon Jepng'ok, on 7 September 2026, in a colourful traditional ceremony that has since captured the hearts of many online.

According to Briefly News sister publication Tuko.co.ke, the couple sealed their union through a Kalenjin Koito dowry ceremony held at Seretion Village in Baringo South. Community members and local leaders were present to witness the occasion, which blended Italian roots with deep Tugen cultural traditions.

How it all began

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Sandro first met Sharon during his time as a missionary in the region. What started as a connection built through faith and community work gradually grew into something far more personal. He eventually made the decision to step away from the Catholic priesthood to pursue a life with her.

Leaving the cloth is not a decision taken lightly, and for Ferretto, it meant walking away from a vocation that had defined much of his adult life. Yet his participation in the Kalenjin Koito ceremony showed an embrace of his partner's culture, not just a willingness to move on from his own.

Two worlds, one ceremony

The sight of a European former priest engaging fully in a traditional Kenyan dowry ceremony is not something people come across every day. Ferretto took part in the Tugen customs alongside Sharon's community, a gesture that resonated deeply with those who watched or heard about it.

The ceremony drew widespread attention online, with social media users warmly celebrating the cross-cultural union as a reminder that love does not often respect borders, backgrounds, or beliefs.

Watch the former priest get down on his wedding day in the X video below:

Mzansi reacts to the former priest's video

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For many viewers, seeing the priest in a celebratory mood on his special day was a sign of how happy he was to be marrying Sharon. They flooded the comments section, wishing the duo happiness.

@Fudrank29 said:

"He found his new calling! Wishing him all the best and happiness."

@MichellePh59358 shared:

"You can tell he's ready to start a family 😂."

@SBMuhindi added:

"The girl has made the priest fall from grace. Love is powerful."

@MatlhakuPhasha wrote:

"And who are we to judge? He is happy; we should be happy for him and respect his decision and choices."

@paultom66 asked:

"Good for them. What is wrong with being happy in life?"

@kord13949 said:

"Congratulations to both individuals. I hope both of you have a wonderful life together."

3 More articles about weddings

• A South African bridesmaid shared a hilarious video of their chaotic wedding rehearsal night, leaving Mzansi viewers in stitches.
• Briefly News previously reported that an energetic groom wowed wedding guests and social media users with his lively moves and enthusiastic display alongside his groomsmen during a festive wedding celebration.
• A bride named Samu stunned social media users by reciting her Zulu wedding vows in an accent that sounded like a Caucasian woman speaking isiZulu.

Source: Briefly News