By Sophan Niwamanya
The Bishop of Kabale Diocese, the Rt Rev Callistus Rubaramira on Saturday ordained 8 priests and 14 Deacons, during a function that was held at St Mary’s Rushoroza Cathedral Grounds in Southern Division of Kabale Municipality.
The 8 priests are Rev Fr Bruno Tumwesigye and Rev Fr Aloysius Namara, both from Rushoroza catholic parish, Rev Fr Zaverio Tindimwebwa from Nyarushanje Catholic parish, Rev Fr Julius Ankunda from Rutooma parish, Rev Fr Nicodemus Mubangizi and Rev Fr Paul Atuyambe both from Rubanda parish, Rev Fr. Jeremias Nsabimana from Kinanira parish and Rev Fr. Deus Niwagaba from Rwanyena parish.
Those who were ordained as deacons are Nelson Agaba, Paul Bawenzaki, Ponsiono Kwitonda, Bruno Nkwasibwe, Chrispino Mubangizi, Isaac Turinawe, Ambrose Ndinumukiza, Alexander Muhumuza, Brian Niwagaba, Felix Bigiromuhangi, Ronald Niwamumpaire, Selestina Nkamwesiga, Clement Musaby’Imana, and Martin Nkurunziza.
Bishop Rubaramira asked the newly ordained priests and deacons to preach the gospel of peace, repentance and avoid preaching divisible gospel instead of development.
“The ordained priests and deacons, you must serve Christians wholeheartedly without discriminating them, visit and pray for the sick, do not do your own things but rather do things to please the Christ. You must abide to the Catholic Church norms and you must uphold the church vows,” Bishop Rubaramira warned.
The Bishop also revealed that if the newly ordained priests are to succeed, they need to use the word of God accordingly as they preach the gospel since it was their call.
“As priests, you must cooperate with Christians and be ready to serve their roles. You will be deployed in new areas and they are a remarkable group of dedicated individuals who will each draw upon their own unique skills and life experience in their new ministries. Make sure that you extend liturgical services nearer to Christians” the Bishop added.
Speaking during the event, the State minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Mr. David Bahati commended Bishop Rubaramira for uniting and working together with the Diocese of Kigezi, to spread the gospel of Christ and being exemplary in the fight against household poverty.
“To the ordained priests and deacons, you must learn from our Bishop Rubaramira for the good things he has done in the diocese. We commend you and thank you for choosing to support God, and I promise, we will work and support you. Thank you Bishop for training, supporting the deacons and priests and for being exemplary in developmental projects, and for uniting with the bishop of the diocese of Kigezi,” Mr Bahati said
Minister Bahati also asked Christians to embrace and involve themselves in governmental programs such as Parish Development Model (PDM), if we are to fight poverty in the country and our homes.
“Let us work as a team and embrace government programs like PDM because when the program succeeds, we will be able to come out of poverty because poverty does not have religion or political party affiliation, whether you are a catholic, a Muslim, a protestant or any other religion” he added.
On his part, the State minister Finance in charge of General Duties, Mr Henry Musasizi also commended the Bishop of Kabale Diocese, the Rt Rev Callistus Rubaramira for spreading the gospel of fighting poverty at the household level and Kabale diocese in general.
Minister Musasizi also asked the newly ordained priests and deacons to be exemplary to the young children saying that this will motivate them and also be successful in future.
“I want thank the Bishop, the parents of the new priests and deacons, and all the spiritual guides who helped them nurture their religious vocation. Finally, serve their areas allocated for in good faith for the development of the church. To the newly ordained priests and deacons, you must serve the areas allocated to you in good faith for the development of the church, said Musasizi.
Rev. Fr. Nicodemus Mubangizi, who led the ordained priests and deacons, pledged that they will work hard to pray and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, to the areas where they will be deployed.
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