The newly ordained priests and deacons of Kabale Diocese have been asked to restrain their bodies from committing sin and to be men of wisdom rooted in the Roman Catholic Church faith.
The remarks were made by the apostolic administrator of Kabale Diocese, Rt Rev Callist Rubaramira, during the ordination ceremony of 13 priests and 10 deacons. The ceremony was held at Rushoroza Cathedral headquarters of Kabale Diocese in Kabale town on Saturday.
“Avoid situations of being doubted in front of God and his people. You are instructed to be men of wisdom rooted in faith. Never lose hope but preach the word of God and always remember to fulfil your calling to priesthood. Let your preaching strengthen the building of the church of Christ. Restrain your bodies against committing sin and remain clear representatives of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Rubaramira said.
He reminded the ordained priests and deacons to always remember that they were chosen to serve and not to be served, and asked them to keep their eyes focused on Jesus Christ for spiritual renewal and blessings.
The ordained priests included Syrus Aharizira from Makiro parish, Sostine Mugisha from Muko parish, Ayebazibwe Cyril Arthur from Karujanga parish, John Bosco Magezi from Rubanda parish, Ivan Ndamira from Mutolere parish, Venansio Twesigye from Rwengiri parish, Tom Twinomugisha from St Luke Muhanga parish, Maridadi Anakelati from Rutenga parish, Prosper Turihamwe from Machuro parish, Sostini Turyasingura from Rubanda parish, Adon Aturinde from Nyakishenyi parish, Justus Turyatunga from Rubanda parish and Niwagaba Deusdedit from Rushoroza parish.
The ordained deacons included Demiano Ampureire, David Niwayinamani, Derrick Matsiko, Gerald Nsengiyumva, John Borris Nahamya, Godwin Ainembabazi, Ivan Byamugisha, James Byomuhangi, Moses Niwahereza and Pius Orishemeza.
The ordination ceremony coincided with the 60 years celebrations of the existence of Kabale Diocese, and Bishop Rubaramira asked Christians to pray for peace and development in the diocese and also pray for the bishop-elect of Kabale Diocese Msgr Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire whose consecration has been scheduled for October 3.He also asked Christians to get renewed as they celebrate 60 years of the existence of their diocese.
“As you celebrate the 60 years of Kabale diocese, learn to be humble and avoid temptations because this is what God wants from you. Keep the lamp of Christ lighting in your homes and work places. Always pray for each other and strengthen church service in your localities,” Bishop Rubaramira said.
The Minister of Health Dr Chris Baryomunsi represented President Museveni at the ordination ceremony that was witnessed by Finance Minister Henry Musasizi and some members of parliament from Kigezi sub-region, as well as local and civic leaders.
‘The mission of evangelism is a call on social economic transformation, hard work discipline and respect for the values that hold communities and families together. We appreciate the zeal and the dedication focused to the humanitarian cause of transforming communities physically and spatially. We all have a part to play and we must be determined to be patriotic Ugandans that are morally upright. I congratulate the people who are being ordained today to serve the people of God. Priesthood is service to God and he expects you to serve with wisdom, skill, knowledge and humility,’ President Museveni said in the speech read for him by Dr Baryomunsi.
He added that although Uganda has gone through a number of challenges, God has seen it through and we are at a moment of working hard to see that the people of Uganda overcome poverty right from their households through getting involved in gainful employment. He further said that Kabale diocese has managed to make it to the diamond jubilee due to its commitment to cause visible changes amongst the people.
‘The NRM leadership has put in place policy initiatives, and measures that can enable our people to overcome poverty and many who have participated are no longer poor. The youth have been skilled through presidential initiatives in the central region and other regions through the presidential skilling hubs and other people have been boosted with finances in their saccos, emyooga and PDM all geared towards causing a fundamental transformation in people’s livelihoods. We have also continued to advocate for regional integration to cause a massive change and ability to strengthen our selves in terms of advocacy for services resources and markets. All that our people produce will need a bigger market beyond Uganda and Africa,’ President Museveni said.