Uganda gets first Neocatechumenate priest
Jul 01, 2016
“Being ordained is not enough. An ordained priest must live out the priestly promises which include obedience to the Bishop and celibacy. The Bishop can ask the priest to step aside, if he misuses his priesthood.”
The Archbishop of Kampala, Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga has asked Catholic priests to be faithful to their priestly promises.
"Being ordained is not enough. An ordained priest must live out the priestly promises which include obedience to the Bishop and celibacy. The Bishop can ask the priest to step aside, if he misuses his priesthood."
Lwanga was ordaining Fr. Davide De Arcangelis at Rubaga Cathedral on Wednesday.
Arcangelis, an Italian national, is a member of the Neocatechumenate way, a Catholic ecclesial movement that commits itself to deep Christian formation of people.
According to the rules of the movement, Arcangelis is now an incardinated priest of the Archdiocese of Kampala. He was ordained after completing his priestly formation at St. Mbaaga's Major Seminary, Ggaba.
Davide De Arcangelis in procession for his priestly ordination at Rubaga Cathedral on June 29, 2016.
Arcangelis' was historical because he was the first Neocatechumenate priest to be ordained in Uganda.
Arcangelis thanked the people who had given him support during his priestly formation.
"Brethren, I don't know what to say. In fact I don't know why all of you have come here. All I can say is that this is the work of God. You have been witnesses as it happened. Pray for me. When you see me going astray, come and advise me."
Arcangelis' ordination was also graced by the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Michael August Blume, Emmanuel Cardinal Dr. Wamala, Msgr. Charles Kasibante, Fr. Venanzio Pasotti, and several relatives and friends of Fr. Arcangelis, who travelled from Italy.
Neoatechumenate members from DR Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi, where Arcangelis once worked, also attended the ceremony.
The Neocatechumenate mass servers in procession for the priestly ordination mass of Davide De Arcangelis
The Neocatechumenate choir gospel guitarists in action during Arcangelis' priestly ordination at Rubaga Cathedral
Reverend Davide De Arcangelis blesses Christians after his priestly ordination at Rubaga Cathedral
Archbishop Lwanga (with pastoral staff) and Archbishop Blume (with white mitre) in a group photo with the relatives of Reverend Davide De Arcangelis