By Richard Onapatum

SOROTI, UG: Soroti Catholic Diocese has today celebrated the ordination of six Priests and one Deacon at Regina Caeli Cathedral grounds in Soroti City, Eastern Uganda.

The ordination was presided over by Rt. Rev. Joseph Eciru Oliach the Bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese. They included; Marcel Ajoket of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Koloin, Cuthbert Eladu of St. Michael’s Parish Wera, and Dominic Oyil of Holy Family Parish, Gweri.

Others are; James Osuku of St. Patrick’s Parish, Olio, Pius Otim of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Asamuk. Newly ordained deacon Denis Egili is from St. Kizito’s Parish, Katine.

In his homily, Bishop Eciru encouraged the newly ordained priests to collaborate with their Bishop in personifying Christ through their ministerial priesthood.

He reminded them of the sacred and weighty responsibility they were about to undertake while urging the faithful to actively support the newly ordained priests in their solemn pledge to dutifully serve at the altar of the Lord.

The bishop also urged the priests to embrace priesthood as an enduring commitment, not to be donned one day and discarded the next.

“This is a permanent decision you are making. If any lingering doubts persist, do not hesitate to seek clarity. You are being called to a noble vocation. To be a priest is to be set apart for God and the people,” the Bishop said.

The colourful ceremony was witnessed by hundreds of Christians including the Vice President and Woman MP for Katakwi district, Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo who represented President Yoweri Museveni.

President congratulated all the Priests upon this great spiritual achievement saying the ordination of these Priests is a testimony of their devotion to God and the Catholic Church. 

“I congratulate all the six Priests and Deacon upon your elevation. May God be with you, grant you wisdom and bless your endeavours, as you steward the people of Soroti Diocese,” he said.  

Mr. Museveni called upon the people of Soroti Diocese to support and pray for the new Priests to succeed in their leadership and ministry. 

He also appealed to the new Priests to mobilise the diocese to participate in the wealth creation campaigns. Mr. Museveni further said that the Government has rolled out the Parish Development Model, which is aimed at improving the quality of life of all Ugandans, by eradicating poverty at the household level.

“Through the Parish Development Model, agriculture will be transformed from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture. We count on you to sensitize and teach our people the value of hard work, and self-reliance and to embrace the wealth creation programmes,” he said.

The President assured the faithful that the Government will continue to ensure the maintenance of peace and security in the whole Country; the construction of the necessary social and economic infrastructure, as a way of facilitating and attracting local and foreign investments, to create jobs and incomes for Ugandans.

He commended the administration of Soroti Catholic Diocese for the hard work, commitment and good leadership, which has transformed Soroti into a model diocese. It is obvious that the Diocese, as we know it today, is built on visionary leadership the president said. 

The president further thanked the Catholic Church, for maintaining a cordial relationship and partnership with the NRM government, in working towards the socio-economic transformation of the Ugandan society.

He said the Church has exploited the private sector-friendly policies of the NRM government to extend social services to the public adding that for instance, the Church has constructed several schools and hospitals, across the country.

This is proof that the Church leadership is concerned about the material well-being of the believers, the president said. The president contributed Shs20m towards the auspicious event.

Vice President Alupo congratulated all new Priests and deacons upon their great spiritual achievement and urged the congregation to support these fallible shepherds.

The Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among asked the newly ordained priests to protest themselves against temptations that might assail them and refrain from misleading their congregants with false hope. She contributed Shs100m towards the construction of Regina Caeli.

The event was attended by members of Parliament from Teso Sub-Region and the country at large who contributed immensely towards Regina Caeli construction. Bishop Dominic Eibu of Kotido was in attendance.