Bishop to priests: You are not ordained to become rich

Priest prostrate during their ordination ceremony at Lira Cathedral Ordination Ground on November 23, 2019. IMMACULATE AMONY

Christians from all walks of life on Saturday braved rain as six priests and one deacon were being ordained to join the catholic priesthood in Lango sub region.
Despite the heavy downpour, Christians sang and danced as they welcomed the new priests to the house of the Lord.
The annual ordination service was led by Bishop Sanctus Lino Wanok of Lira Diocese.
The ordained priests include; Rev Fr Denis Omara, Rev Fr Boniface Aruku, Rev Fr Jimmy Ojede, Rev Fr Moses Pascal Omara, Rev Fr Jacob Raymond Komakech and Rev Fr Douglas Owera. Stephen Odwongo was ordained as a deacon.

While preaching before the ordination held at Lira Cathedral Ordination Ground, Lira Town, Rt Rev Wanok called on the ministers to be men of good reputation filled with wisdom and the Holy Spirit.
“By consecration, priests and deacons will preach the gospel, sustain God's people and celebrate the liturgy, above all, the Lord's sacrifice. This is your duty, not any other,” he said.
“Do the will of God generously, serve God and mankind in love and joy.”

Borrowing from the Catholic doctrine, Bishop Wanok emphasised the importance of maintaining a celibate life saying a man cannot serve two masters.
“By living in this state with total dedication moved by sincere love for Christ the Lord, you are consecrated to him in a new and special way and by this consecration; you will appear more easily to Christ with an undivided heart. You will be more freely at the service of God and mankind,” he added.

Bishop emeritus of Lira Catholic Diocese Joseph Franzelli, however, told the newly ordained priests to forget about being rich but to share whatever they have with God’s children.
“The devil enters the church through the pockets. Do not fall into this sweet trap. You are not ordained to become rich but to share whatever you have and the very life with the children of God especially the poor, weak, marginalised and vulnerable ones,” he said.
Bishop Franzelli further called on the priests to serve the Lord diligently.
"Many young men of your age have chosen other careers hoping to be successful engineers, teachers, doctors, businessmen and so on. Your job and career is different,” he said.
“The one who will be more successful among you is the one who will be more able to serve and sacrifice his life every day out of love for God and his people," he added.
He also appealed to the entire Christian community within and outside the diocese to accompany the new priests and deacon in their journey of faith, noting the mission entrusted to them is a difficult one.
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