Kampala Archdiocese reaps 28 youthful priests and deacons

By Valerian Kkonde

PEARL NEWS SERVICE

Ululations, drumming, dancing, singing and clapping engulfed Lubaga Cathedral on Saturday, August 3 2011; Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga was ordaining 13 priests and 15 deacons.

Deacons kneel before His Grace Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga
as they wait to be ordained priests. Photo by Valerian Kkonde/ PNS

During his homily, Kizito Lwanga, the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, attributed the selfishness eating away the Ugandan society to the failure to put God in our lives.

“Many people have lost sense of membership of the Church, to the extent that they behave and act as if God does not exist.

The disease of relentless, insensitiveness, immorality and indifference are contrary even to the African culture.”

Kizito Lwanga also pointed out that some people live in sin but dare to receive the Holy Communion, forgetting that they have to be well prepared.

“Receiving Holy Communion unworthily is real death,” he reminded the congregation.

Further delving into the issue of morals, the Archbishop castigated politicians who have made it a habit to tell lies and even wrongly accuse others. Although people decide to keep quiet, he warned, they can see through the lies.

Making reference to the good old days, Archbishop Lwanga said that a chicken thief used to receive severe punishment. But that today people steal billions of public funds and are simply pampered.

“Thieves today are merely called corrupt and they steal with impunity.”

The Archbishop further condemned those who have taken to killing people as the best way to solve issues. He pointed out that this same mentality is responsible for sexual harassment, family wars and abortion.

“Today even some women have taken to beating their husbands! The media sometime back reported about a doctor who practiced abortion and confessed that she carried out as many as ten a week.

Another woman revealed that she is haunted by the children she had murdered through abortions.”

Kizito Lwanga reminded the congregation that at baptism they got indelible marks and that they have to keep reviewing their commitment to Christ. He went on to remind them that Christ came to serve so; they too have to be good servants.

“After Mass, we shall kneel before the newly ordained to be blessed. They are now new people. Use that honour well. Let the people see in you the honour of God. The challenges you face should help you behave obediently.”

Priesthood, the Archbishop said, is service. Every one is called in service of evangelization. He revealed that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has invited the Synod of bishops to Rome on the theme: New Evangelisation for the transmission of the Christian faith.

He told the congregation that it will be asked to answer some questions to help in preparing for the Synod.

“A lot of things taking place need some explanation. For instance, it is over 130 years since Mapeera came to Uganda but how do you explain the fact that some people still practice devil worshipping?”

Lourdel Mapeera was one of the first five Catholic missionaries who introduced the faith on the invitation of the Kabaka of Buganda, Ssekabaka Muteesa I. They arrived on 17^th February 1879.

On the riots and wars taking place across the globe, the Archbishop said that it is the result of not listening. He advised the congregation to have its ears on the ground.

To the Ordained, the Archbishop told them to be Christ-centered and relevant to the people among whom they will be working. He went on to say that preaching is not intellectual but the power of God for the sanctification of all people who believe. He reminded them that priests act in the name and personality of Christ.

“Be good shepherds of God’s people. Give people hope, faith and love.

Every priest has to rediscover the personal need for sanctity, before purifying others. Purify your selves in order to come close to God and bring others close to God.”

He commended them to Mary the Queen of evangelization so that they rediscover themselves anew. He then invoked Saint John Mary Vianney, the Patron of priests, to intercede for them.

“Do Christ’s work with joy without looking for personal good. Always in life, strive to imitate Christ.

Follow what you touch, that is Christ. Strive to walk in the new life. Forgive people’s sins in the name of Jesus and pray constantly.”

After Holy Communion, the 13 youthful and handsome newly ordained priests knelt before His Grace the Archbishop to receive powers to forgive people’s sins. He congratulated them upon their positive response to God’s call, and warned them against misusing the power; reminding them that he can revoke it from them.

Speaking on behalf of the newly ordained priests, Fr. Ronald Mutagubya thanked the parents for respecting their decision to become priests and for helping them all along to the day of their ordination. He thanked all who had contributed to their formation and requested the congregation to keep praying for them so that they love Christ and humbly serve His people.

Fr. Mutagubya paid tribute to their colleague Deacon Lwanyaaga who too would have been a priest now! He was from Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese but died this year.

This solemn Mass was co-celebrated by Kampala Archdiocese auxiliary bishop Christopher Kakooza, Kampala Archdiocese Archbishop Emeritus Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala and the Hoima diocese Bishop Emeritus Dr. Albert Edward Baharagate. There were 178 priests co-celebrants.

The congregation comprised of delegations from Germany, US-Los Angeles, England- Manchester and 18 people from Rome.

Deacons: Ebwangat Paul, Lancy Naveen Saldanha and Sunil Ulagannan were the pioneers from The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin Congregation, to be ordained from the Sacred Heart Cathedral- Lubaga. Ebwangat is from Soroti Diocese-Uganda, while his two colleagues are from Mangalore and Mysore Dioceses in India, respectively.

Kampala Archdiocese, according to the Vocations Director Fr. John Bosco Kiggundu, has 152 seminarians. He said that last year the Archdiocese received 1,460,150 shillings to support their formation. However, 45,000,000 shillings was spent on cassocks, examinations, medical and books among others. He requested the faithful to support the priestly formation so that many more youngmen come to serve in the Lord's vineyard.