By Alfred Ayuk in Mamfe
Christian Faithful from all over the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province and beyond flocked to the St. Joseph's Cathedral Mamfe on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 to witness the priestly and diaconate ordination of Samuel Tabeson, Emmanuel Asaba and Gilbert Aurose.
His Lordship, Bishop Francis Teke Lysinge, presided at the ceremony which began at 10am. The Bamenda Archbishop, Mgr Cornelius Fontem Esua, and over 40 priests concelebrated the ordination Mass which thousands of Faithful attended.
In his homily, Bishop Lysinge thanked God for the priestly office in our Church. Explaining that it is the scriptures that give meaning to the world and human lives, he added that the Gospel has to be at the centre of the priestly ministry.
He said priests are required to serve and not to be served. He then urged the newly ordained not to work for themselves, but to look after the Faithful who will be entrusted to them. He called on them to look up to the Risen Christ as a father sending his children to do his work.
Addressing the newly ordained priests and deacon, the Bishop continued, "Today is also a time of joy and celebration. We are celebrating your obedience to serve God and His people". The Bishop then enjoined the newly ordained to be loving, to be good shepherds and to address the pressing needs of the people they will be called to serve.
The ordination proper, an offertory procession tailored to suit the occasion; which the newly ordained family members led, and a Mamfe Diocese CWA gift procession followed in that order. After Communion the newly ordained priests blessed those who turned out for the occasion. They first blessed the Bishops, priests, the religious, seminarians, catechists, families of the newly ordained and finally the congregation.
In an address which the Mamfe Mission Faithful presented, they described the newly ordained as men of great vision. They also thanked God for choosing them to become pastors of His flock in Mamfe Diocese and the Bishop of Mamfe for accepting to ordain their brothers.
Celebrations followed at the various reception places after Mass. Government officials and traditional rulers, including Fons from Lebialem, among a host of other dignitaries, also took part in the ordination.
This article seem to me like the priestly and diaconate ordinations were done in one liturgical celebrations. If so is that Ok?
Posted by: Fr Muma | May 13, 2009 at 12:17 PM