Bishop forbids parties for Masaka’s new priests

The Catholic Church in Masaka will tomorrow (Friday), ordain 13 deacons to priesthood and 17 seminarians to deacons at Our Lady of Sorrow, Kitovu Cathedral Church. 

The new priests missed ordination last year, due to the lockdown.

 According to Bishop Severus Jjumba, the ordination will take place under the SOPs like social distancing and masking. 

There will be no party and the new priests and deacons are forbidden to throw any parties.

“The day comes soon after the diocese has lost a long-serving bishop, John Baptist Kaggwa. We are still in mourning. So, there will be no partying. As soon as they are ordained, the new priests will report to their assigned parishes to start their pastoral work,” the bishop decreed.

Our Lady of Sorrow, Kitovu Cathedral Church. Photos by Juliet Lukwago

The diocesan chancellor, Fr Dr Edward Ssekabanja, explained that only 223 people with cards were expected at the venue.

 “The church is committed to Covid-19 SOPs and that is why, after ordination, our brides will not hold parties as usual. Each will go to his appointed parish as soon as we are done. We ask the faithful of Masaka and our friends, to be understanding. Each of our new priests and deacons will be allowed two parents, and that means 60 parents. Upon these, we add 163 guests. For the rest, the liturgy will be live-streamed on TV, radios and the diocesan social media platforms,” he said. 

 The bishop also explained that the day (March 19) was chosen because it is St Joseph’s feast day, and it is the day when Masaka diocese commemorates the arrival of Bishop Henri Streicher (Stenseera) in Buddu. 

"He is the one who established the first Catholic seminary in Masaka at Katigondo," he said.

  Bishop Streicher was a missionary, born in France on July 29, 1863. He died in Uganda on June 7, 1952.

The deacons who will become priests tomorrow are Bernard Kasozi of Luvule Parish, Martin Stuart Kibirige of Kirowooza Parish, Vincent Kanamala Kibuuka of Buyoga Parish, Yakobo Mubiru of Butennde Parish and Bonny Rogers Mutekanga of Bikira Parish. 

Others are; Bernard Mwaziiza of Narozari Parish, Aiden Ndawula of Matale Parish, Robert Ssebadduka of Kimaanya Parish, Joseph Wasswa Ssemukiina of Kirowooza Parish and Steven Ssemyaalo of Lukaya Parish. 

Peter Ssenkindu of Luvule Parish, Michael Sserunkuuma of Makukuulu Parish and Deusdedit Sseruwu of Buyoga Parish.

 Seminarians who are going to become deacons are; Joseph Asiimwe of Kirowooza Parish, Joseph Kasekende of Biganda Parish, Benedict Kato Ssebuuma of Kitovu Parish, Morris Kayanja of Narozari Parish and Joseph Ssennyange of Bethlehem Parish. 

Pius Muwumuza of Kyamulibwa Parish, Joseph Bakka of Bikira Parish, John Bosco Kibaalu of Mannya Parish, George William Kasumba of Bisaanje and Alex Kiyimba of Kyabakuza Parish. 

Others include; Atanansi Mwanje of Bethlehem, Stephen Ssebadduka of Nazareth Parish, Emmanuel Kayongo of Kyanukuzi Parish, 

John Baptist Ssaazi of Kitovu Parish, Ronald Mutebi of Villa-Maria Parish and Paul Ssenkyanja of Bikira Parish.