Read the signs of the times, Lira bishop tells seminarians

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Uganda Episcopal Conference vice-chairperson, also Lira Catholic Diocese Bishop, Sanctus Lino Wanok, has urged future priests to keep abreast of the dynamics of the modern world as they do their priestly ministry.

“Things have changed. Covid-19 challenged us, and the result of that challenge also gave us a new formation style. From that time, we have never remained the same in the world. The problem of one person is the problem of all humanity. You came through a tribe, but it was just a gate for you to be part of humanity. Embrace everyone.”

“The Popes have been saying, open the boundaries for all refugees. Anybody who has been running away, open the way for them. Let them find shelter in any corner of the world, because they belong there. There should be no boundaries but bridges.”

“There is also a challenge in the world today that is challenging all the systems: social, political, cultural, educational and business systems. Everything has been wrapped into a new way of doing things. Therefore, the style of our formation has to be rethought because human beings now think differently from the old-world order.”

“In Africa, we have defined the Church as a family, but the family institution has also been challenged. Today, we are sending you out in that kind of world, a fluid world where what you say doesn’t mean the same thing to the people, or is interpreted differently by the people. How will you convince people that the Word of God does not change? How are you going to convince people that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life? The graduation is pointing you to that,” Wanok says.

He made the remarks during the 52nd Graduation ceremony of St Mary’s National Seminary Ggaba at the seminary on Ggaba Road, in Makindye Division on May 22, 2025.

Bishop Sanctus Lino Wanok delivers his remarks during the Graduation Ceremony of St Mary's National Seminary Ggaba, on Thursday, May 22, 2025. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

Enhance your ministry

Wanok later asked the clerical candidates to use the gifts God has given them to enhance their ministry.

“Don’t remain a copyist who just says and does what he hears and sees others say and do. We must rethink the way of taking people back to Nazareth. Education builds on what you already have. Continue to study and do research that will help to solve the emerging ecclesial and societal challenges,” Wanok explained.

Delivering his speech during the same function, the Rector of the Seminary, the Very Rev Fr Dr Lazarus Luyinda, urged the seminary’s clerical candidates and all future priests to be true to their God-given mission of bringing salvation to the people entrusted to them.

“Dear friends, don’t forget that you have been called and formed to be shepherds according to the heart of Christ. We have not trained you to be chiefs. We have not trained lords, dictators, businessmen, entertainers, or gamblers. We have avoided training heretics. We are not sending you drunkards nor politicians, but we hope, shepherds of souls. Our joy will be complete if your priestly life and ministry realise the goal for which Jesus calls you. May your priestly ministry and priestly life not in any way decrease and subtract followers from Jesus, but increase them in number and quality.”

“Remember, it is easy to excel in the knowledge of God. It is very easy to read and know all the documents of the Church. That can be done by many. Today priesthood risks becoming a studied profession. I beg you to know that your priesthood is a calling. You are answering to God specifically who demands something from you, who is sending you to a specific mission, which is to bring salvation to many people and to spread His love all through. I believe that the Lord calls you to this kind of priesthood.

“Let me remind you of the dangers of an academic priesthood as compared to a vocational priesthood. Yes, be happy with your academic achievements, but don’t forget that your mission is to bring salvation to the people entrusted to you. Dear friends, be real priests, pastors of souls, friends and imitators of Christ,” Luyinda said.

During the function, 46 clerical students of St Mary’s National Seminary Ggaba (most of them Deacons soon to be ordained to the priesthood) were awarded the seminary’s Diploma in Theology and Pastoral Studies. The students who performed exceptionally well in academics, and those who excelled in co-curricular and ecclesial activities such as divine liturgy, spirituality and leadership, were given special recognition.