Jesuit Priests Ordained

Jul 19, 2018

In 2005, he got the idea to become a Jesuit priest and subsequently joined the congregation’s formation house in Arusha.

PIC: Rev Fr Ssentongo (centre), Fr.Ssekyanzi (right) Fr.Ggitta (left). (Courtesy photo)

RELIGION

KAMPALA - The Catholic Missionary Order of the Jesuits (Society of Jesus) has added two Ugandan priests to its clerical membership.

The priests, Allan Gitta and Robert Ssekyanzi were ordained by the Bishop Emeritus of Moroto, Henry ApaloryamamSsentongo at St Peter's Pro-Cathedral, Nsambya on Saturday.

FrGgitta, 37, is the son of Theresa Nansumba and the late Dr Titus Geoffrey Kasirye, who lived in Mityana. 

He studied at NamiryangoJuniour School, Namiryango College (where he converted from the Protestant Church to Catholicism) and Makerere University, where he studied social sciences.

In 2005, he got the idea to become a Jesuit priest and subsequently joined the congregation's formation house in Arusha.

In 2009, he enrolled at the Catholic University of Central Africa, in Yaoundé(Cameroun), where he graduated with a Master's Degree in Divinity.

He was subsequently posted to Harare, in Zimbabwe, where he studied French.

In 2013, he went to Austria, where he did further studies before being ordained a Deacon in 2017.

Fr Robert Ssekyanzi, who hails from Rubaga, did development studies at Makerere University.

He subsequently enrolled at Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi, for his Master's Programme (MA, Development Studies).

He joined the formation cycle of the Jesuits in Arusha, in2009. He studied Divinity at Arrupe Jesuit University, Harare (Zimbabwe).

He later studied Philosophy and Theology in Addis Ababa Diocesan Seminary. Ssekyanzi also had  a long academic involvement  at Hekima University College, Nairobi until 2016, when he was sent to France for pastoral work.

Jesuit Jesuit clerics, Robert Ssekyanzi and Allan Gitta prostrate in humble obedience during their sacerdotal ordination at Nsambya Pro-Cathedral. (Credit: Mathias Mazinga)

Be Prophets - Bishop Ssentongo

Delivering his homily during mass, Bishop Ssentongo asked the newly ordained priests to be real missionaries, who preach the gospel of Christ by words and deeds. He asked them to be fully committed to their religious vows of poverty, obedience and chastity, emulating the deep faith and devotion of the Uganda Martyrs.

Ssentongo later thanked the parents, guardians and benefactors of Gitta and Ssekyanzi for giving them a solid moral formation, on which their vocation to Catholic priesthood was built. He further thanked them for supporting the two priests financially.

The newly ordained cleric, Gitta and Ssekyanzi pledged to serve God with love and commitment. They also promised obedience to their Bishops and Religious Superiors.

Jesuit Jesuit clerics Robert Ssekyanzi and Allan Gitta with their parents, relatives and gurdians during their ordination mass at Nsambya Pro-Cathedral. (Credit: Mathias Mazinga)

A word for Politicians

Bishop Ssentongo later asked Uganda's legislators to have respect for the people they represent in parliament. He blamed some legislators, who he said taketheir constituents for a ride whenthey deliberately pass oppressive laws apparently for selfish interests.

"On many occasions our parliamentarians don't consult us when they are passing laws.

"This is a sign of disrespect and lack of commitment to the promotion of the common good of our people," said Ssentongo.'


The Prelate pointed out the social media and mobile moneytax saga as one example of the disconnection between the parliamentarians and the common Ugandans.

A brief on the Society of Jesus

The Catholic Religious Society of Jesus (SocietasIesu) is a scholarly congregation of the Catholic Church.

It was started in France (1534) by St Ignatius of Loyola, who was a Basque nobleman from northern Spain.

The society is international in character. It has a presence in several countries world-wide.

The Jesuits basically do Catholic Evangelisation and apostolic ministry. They are also involved in education and intellectual research.

They also preach retreats, minister in hospitals and parishes, and promote ecumenical dialogue. Pope Francis is a member of the Jesuit Order.

 

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