In his homily, Bishop Kakooza commended families, parish communities and seminaries for their spiritual, moral and material support in the formation of priests.
The Bishop of Lugazi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Christopher Kakooza, has urged parents and guardians to encourage their children to respond to God’s call by joining seminaries and religious institutions to prepare for the priesthood and religious life, describing them as the future servants of the Church.
Bishop Kakooza made the appeal on Saturday during a colourful ordination Mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral in Lugazi, where he ordained 13 deacons to the priesthood and six seminarians to the diaconate. The celebration attracted hundreds of faithful from across Lugazi Diocese and other parts of the country.
Of the 13 newly ordained priests, seven belong to Lugazi Diocese while six are members of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS).
The diocesan priests are Fr. Vincent Afiman and Fr. Rogers Balambe of Lugazi Cathedral Parish; Fr. Luke Akirana and Fr. Johnmary Kato Mulondo of Nyenga Parish; Fr. Adrian Kyambadde of Namiryango Parish; Fr. Michael Ssejjombwe of Kabimbiri Parish; and Fr. Wynand Ssenkusu of St. Paul Mukono Parish.
The six newly ordained MSFS priests are Fr. Justine Wanjala from St. Francis Xavier Dabani Catholic Parish in Tororo Archdiocese; Fr. Richard Masereka from Holy Trinity Parish, Kyalhumba in Kasese Diocese; Fr. Joseph Lule from St. Jude Bukoto Catholic Parish in Masaka Diocese; Fr. Pascal Wangi from Immaculate Heart of Mary Kyamulibwa Parish in Masaka Diocese; Fr. Anthony Kabagambe from Mary Tower of Ivory Rwemisanga Parish in Hoima Diocese; and Fr. Abraham Wamakale from St. Jude Catholic Parish, Osia in Tororo Archdiocese.
The Mass was concelebrated by the Bishop Emeritus of Lugazi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Mathias Ssekamanya, the Vicar General, Msgr. Richard Kayondo, and dozens of priests from various parishes and religious congregations.
As the Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr. Vincent Wasswa, called out the names of each candidate before the altar, jubilant congregations of parents, relatives, friends and other faithful erupted into ululations and applause in celebration of the milestone.
In his homily, Bishop Kakooza commended families, parish communities and seminaries for their spiritual, moral and material support in the formation of priests.
He thanked God for the growing number of vocations and urged Christians to continue praying for more young people to answer God’s call.
“The Church now joyfully welcomes these new shepherds, who have come to guide and support God’s flock in faith, love and hope,” Bishop Kakooza said.
He also called on the faithful to warmly receive the newly ordained priests as they begin their mission of proclaiming the Gospel and administering the sacraments.
“My dear brothers and sisters, be ready to welcome these priests as they come to proclaim the Gospel. Receive with open hearts the Good News they have been called to share with you,” he said.
During the same celebration, six seminarians were ordained deacons, marking another important step towards eventual priestly ordination.
The bishop reminded the newly ordained priests of their obligation to remain faithful to the Catholic Church and to respect and obey their bishop and his successors.
Speaking on behalf of the newly ordained clergy, Fr. Rogers Balambe thanked God for the gift of vocation, saying the ordination had transformed their lives.
“Those who entered this Mass as seminarians have become deacons, while those who came as deacons have today become priests,” he said.
Addressing Bishop Kakooza, Fr. Balambe added:
“Our dear Bishop, we are grateful that you have found us worthy to join your team of priests in Lugazi Diocese. We are fully aware of the responsibilities that come with celebrating Mass, teaching the faith, administering the sacraments and serving God’s people. We promise to respect and obey you faithfully.”
The Head of Laity for Lugazi Diocese, Dr. Augustine Kato, thanked parents for dedicating their children to the service of God after raising and educating them.
He also congratulated the newly ordained priests and deacons for responding to God’s call.
“We shall continue praying for you so that you remain faithful to the vocation you have received. Your calling is among the greatest gifts anyone can receive,” Dr. Kato said.
Lugazi Municipality MP Richard Senteza congratulated the newly ordained priests and thanked the Catholic Church for its continued role in nurturing the spiritual lives of the faithful.
He said religious leaders make a significant contribution to national development by offering moral guidance, encouraging hard work, promoting peace and discouraging crime and domestic violence.
“In the development of a country, religious leaders play a vital role by speaking to the hearts of people, encouraging them to work hard, discouraging criminal behaviour and promoting harmony within families. We commend the Church for the responsibility it continues to fulfil,” Senteza said.
