Masaka bishop-elect wanted to be a soldier

Pope Francis has appointed Msgr. Serverus Jjumba as the new bishop for Masaka Diocese, which covers the political districts of Bukomansimbi, Kalangala, Kalungu and Kyotera.

Others are Lwengo, Lyantonde, Masaka, Rakai and Ssembabule. Jjumba replaces John Baptist Kaggwa who has served since 1995, becoming the 5th bishop of Masaka diocese after Henry Streitcher (Stenseera), Joseph Kiwanuka, Adrian Kivumbi Ddungu and Kaggwa.

He will be installed on July 7, 2019. Juliet Lukwago talked to him about his plans.

Congratulations Monsignor. People from Nkima clan are celebrating your appointment as victory, considering that even the Anglican bishop, Katumba Tamale, is from the same clan.

Yes, I am Jjumba from a Nkima-clan, but we are all God's people, regardless of clan.

But family plays an important role in success. True but in different ways. My parents grew up in Catholic families, and faith was a very important factor in their upbringing. And that is how they also brought us up.

My father, the late Herman Jildo Ssebiranda, was a catechist. He died suddenly of heart attack in 1978 as I was just joining Bukalasa Seminary. My mother, Leocadia Namazzi Tezijjadda, is still alive.

She is now 93 years old and I am so grateful to God that she has lived long enough to see me become a bishop.

I am the sixth of eight children, four sisters and three brothers. I was born on August 2, 1962 at Bulando village in Bulando sub-parish, Kitovu Parish.

Our first born, Casiyola Lukwago, lives in Bulando, Agrippina Namugerwa got married in Kitanga, Alexandria Nakafeero is in Nyendo, Masaka, Gervase Ssekitoleko died and then there are Gerald Mugerwa, Margaret Namuddu and Veronica Nantongo. I am the youngest boy.

How did they take the news of a bishop in the family?

I think they were both excited and sad. Sad because I will no longer be able to be home frequently. My mother cried on hearing the news. I really pray she is able to live longer without my frequent presence.

How was your priesthood journey?

God works in wonders. When I was young, soldiers impressed me a lot. I grew up wanting to be a soldier. I don't remember how my dreams changed from combat to a cassock. My priesthood journey started with P 1 at St. Augustine primary school in Bulando, 1975-1977.

In P 5, I went to St Paul Primary school Kitovu, the one in front of the Cathedral, up to P.7. I joined Bukalasa Seminary for six years, St. Aquinas National seminary Katigondo for three and lastly, St Mary's National Seminary Ggaba, also for three years.

I was ordained priest on June 20, 1992, by Bishop Henry Ssentongo, who was then an auxiliary bishop but is now a retired bishop of Moroto diocese.

I thank God for my 27 years in the priesthood. I have served in Mpambire Parish in Rakai now in Kyotera, taught in Bukalasa minor Seminary from 1993-2000 where I became a formator and Seminary Bursar.

That is also the time I did a post-graduate diploma in education. From there, I was diocesan treasurer up to April 15, 2014, when I was appointed the Vicar General up to today.

How did you feel when you got the news of the appointment?

I felt humbled and in need of God's assistance. I still feel my heart is heavy because of the responsibility in such a very traditional diocese. But, on another hand, I am hopeful and trust in divine providence. I know, with the help of God, everything will be well. That makes me ready for the challenge and I look forward to serving the church in this new role.

Were you surprised? Did you ever imagine, one day, that you will become a bishop?

No! Never! If you look at my history, I have limited pastoral experience in parish life. I have been dealing more in money than people. But as believers, we should always be ready to take on tasks for the good of the church.

The diocese must be lucky to have a person who was handling money. You know where to get funds to sustain the diocese

Unfortunately, we no longer get funds from abroad; we have work hard to raise the money to sustain our diocese. And I know people of Masaka are very generous and they love their diocese.

Our bishop Kaggwa helped us a lot to know how to work as a team. Resources are never scarce when you have a willing team.

The bible said a prophet is hardly respected at home. Your home is just 4km from the diocese; do you think that will become a challenge to your administration?

Masaka has always been both my diocese and parish. I have been working here since 2000. Nearly everyone around here knows me.

But I think that is just a challenge, which I will handle by the power of the Holy Christ. Jesus told us: Do not be afraid; the Holy Spirit will guide you and explain to you what to say." On the other hand, and majorly, it is a blessing. And the work of a bishop is not just at the diocese.

What should Christians expect from you in your first 100 days in office?

My primary role is pastoral work, going down to households at grassroots. Otherwise Christians should not expect a lot of new things because I love the way our outgoing bishop's was doing things.

I have been working with Bishop Kaggwa, I was in the Synod that is guiding the diocese, and I am convinced that our Masaka is on the right course.

I am also a believer in the leadership philosophy of St Augustine, who said: "With you, I am Christian; and for you, a bishop."

The diocesan work is for all of us as Christians because, in baptism, we are the same. The difference is I am supposed to lead others to that holiness of baptism.

Some people say Masaka diocese is too big; would you ask the Vatican to divide?

It's not the geographical size that matters but the ability to deliver services. Priests and their assistants; both the clergy, the religious and the laity, are the effective representatives of the bishop wherever they are in different parishes. As a bishop, I promise to create time to visit all the parishes.

That said, the decision to divide a diocese can only be taken by the pope, depending on suitability, growth of faith, availability of land and money. At the moment, our concern is not the division but delivery of services and growth in faith.

But the issue of the priests' ratio to Christians affects service delivery. According to the diocese website, you have 281 priests serving about 1,118,156 Catholics. That means one priest for every 3,979 Catholics.

But also, considering that a priest must serve all people, regardless of religion, these 281 are serving a total population of 1,826,256. That is a ratio of one priest to 6,499 people. The ideal is 1 for 1,000 people.

First of all, we must be grateful for the substantial number of priests and young men in our seminaries.

Not many dioceses in the world have such a number of active ministers, let alone a constant number of candidates for ordination each year. We have 288 priests and over 140 major seminarians.

Nevertheless, a smaller ratio would be better. But that should not be a reason to worry but to pray that the "Lord of the harvest may send more labourers in his harvest".

Any final message as a bishop-elect?

I thank my bishop, John Baptist Kaggwa, for nurturing me well, my fellow priests and all people from Masaka, who helped guide me in my spiritual journey.

I urge my fellow religious leaders and even cultural leaders to promote peace, justice and integral development.

We are in an age whose present and future must be built on justice, peace, democracy, stability, respect of human rights and equitable integral development for all.

For youth in Masaka diocese, who know they are the pillar of the church and the nation; the challenge is to contribute positively to the bright future.

For that, we call upon wrong-doers and protesters, most especially the youth, to avoid bad activities such as riots and robbery among others.

Bishop's mother speaks out

It is very rare for mothers to live long enough to see their children become bishops. But Leocadia Namazzi Tezijjadda, has seen her son's new appointment. The 93-year-old spoke to Juliet Lukwago about it

I was shocked and surprised the day I got the news. I was so happy that I even cried. It was too much for me.

With that excitement, I couldn't eat food for the whole day. I thank God, who has preserved me to see this in my life. I thank Bishop Yowana Kaggwa for nurturing my son and not forgetting his fellow priests, religious and Christians.

I know my son to be humble and I ask him never to change. I wish him well. I am praying for him. I am requesting him to serve God and the church with all his heart.

Let him do his God's and elders' job well. I wish him to be a good leader to his fellow priests and the religious, never mistreating them and being a good example.

Let his office be open to everyone because now he is a shepherd of everybody and a shepherd who must respect everyone, most especially your senior bishop who raised you well and other fellow bishops.

God has put him in that place for a purpose; guide them well, be a good leader.

I place him in the hands of the Holy family of Joseph, Jesus and the Virgin Mary. They will guide and help him as he also helps himself.

I ask him to pray for me and all his family as we also promise to always have him in our prayers.