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Newly Ordained Priests in CAR Urged to be Close to the People, to Share their Joy and Hope

Credit: Primature RCA Officiel

The Archbishop of Bangui Archdiocese in the Central African Republic (CAR) has urged the three Deacons he ordained to Priests to embody Christ’s love through service and closeness to their communities. 

In his homily during the Priestly Ordination of Deacons Alain Bruno Kosson Koyalemba, Frère Saint Crépin Le Juste Ngananam-dekoy, and Christ Francklin Halaël Barakanza, Dieudonné Cardinal Nzapalainga rejoiced for the gift of the three new Priests, saying, “Our Church is alive and kicking, and this ordination bears witness to that.”

“You don’t become a Priest on your own. It is the Lord who calls you. Priesthood is a gift and a ministry. You are consecrated by the Lord and for the Lord to His people. Priesthood remains a mission of service to the Church and society,” Cardinal Nzapalainga said during the September event that was held at Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Bagui Archdiocese.

He urged the three to follow Christ's example of kindness, mercy, and tenderness in their pastoral work, saying, “Be close to people; welcome them wholeheartedly; share their joy and hope, but also their sadness and anguish. Above all, help them to discover and discern God's presence at the heart of their lives.”

“Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ not only in words but also in deeds, above all with acts of closeness, kindness, mercy, and tenderness, following the example of Jesus who did good,” Cardinal Nzapalainga said.

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The Catholic Church leader further said, “For God is not far away. He is present. So bear witness to his presence by what you say, by what you do and by your whole life. As Priests, you will also be dispensers of God's grace and spiritual goods through the celebration of the sacraments, signs par excellence of the Lord's closeness and solicitude. Celebrate them, dear sons, with kindness of heart, joy, and freedom from any difficulties you may encounter.”

Cardinal Nzapalainga reminded the Priests-elect that the path that lay ahead of them would not be easy. 

He drew parallels to Christ’s own ministry, which was marked by both acceptance and rejection.

“As Christ was loved and applauded by men, so you will be loved and applauded; as Christ was hated and rejected, so you will be hated and rejected. But be faithful!” the Catholic Church leader said.

“May Christ bless us, may He bless this new mission year, may He bestow His grace on our ordinands, and may Our Lady of Ubangi, Mother of the Mission, accompany us!” the Cardinal implored.

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Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.