18 Newly Ordained Deacons, Priests in Kenya’s Bungoma Diocese Urged To Be Hospitable, Serve God “wholeheartedly”

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Bungoma/Fr. Willis Wafula

A holy person fosters collaboration, cooperates in carrying out activities, and contributes in realizing initiatives, he said, and reassured the 13 Deacons and five Seminarians of their divine calling “before birth” just like the Prophet Jeremiah.

Highlighting availability as another mark of holiness, Bishop Kadima told the 18 Candidates of Holy Orders to not only “criticize and to stand aside, but when you are needed to offer your help, you offer. That is holiness.”

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Bungoma/Fr. Willis Wafula

“Be hospitable. Wherever you are, welcome one another. Let your house be a house where others can come and stay and feel at home,” he emphasized during the July 5 Ordination celebration that was held at Bungoma High School playgrounds.  

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The Local Ordinary of Bungoma Diocese since Episcopal Consecration in February 2022 urged the 13 Priests-elect and the five Deacons-elect to avail themselves perpetually to God’s service. He told them, “God wants you to serve him wholeheartedly and for all your lives."

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Bungoma/Fr. Willis Wafula

He challenged them to be role models for the people of God under their pastoral care, manifesting a spirit of love and mutual support.

In his homily, Bishop Kadima said that members of the Clergy need to exercise humility. “When you are wrong, you will ask for God's grace to be better, to correct your mistakes,” he said. 

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Bungoma/Fr. Willis Wafula

In recognizing that “you are not worthy ... that you go wrong, that you are not perfect, that you are a human being,” a member of the Clergy gets the grace to live his ministry, he further said during the July 5 Ordination of 12 Priests and five Deacons of Bungoma Diocese, and one Priest of St. Patrick’s Missionary Society (Kiltegan Fathers).

The Kenyan Catholic Bishop, who spearheaded the establishment and official opening of the South Sudan Apostolic Nunciature as its pioneer Chargé d’Affaires before his Episcopal appointment also urged obedience on the part of Diocesan Clergy and members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (ICLSAL).

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Bungoma/Fr. Willis Wafula

“Obedience is holiness, and holiness is also obedience,” he said, and cautioned, “You are becoming Priests. Don't change this mission into what you think you should be doing.”

Fidelity in Priestly ministry is also important, Bishop Kadima said, adding, “Even if you are tired, don't begin to do something else; go and live in the Parish; don’t live somewhere else. Because you are a Priest, go to the Parish; go where the Bishop has told you to work; go where your Superior has told you to work.”

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Credit: Catholic Diocese of Bungoma/Fr. Willis Wafula

In his July 5 homily, Bishop Kadima also cautioned against gossip and self-centeredness. He advocated for altruism, support for each other, and good deeds.

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