The Presiding Bishop of the Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Church (AOCC), Jacinto Kibuuka, has eulogised the late Tooro King, Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, while extending condolences to the people of Tooro Kingdom and Ugandans at large.
Bishop Kibuuka delivered the condolence message during his homily at Mamre International Prayer Centre in Namugongo-Janda, where he presided over the ordination of four clergy members.
Two priests, Rev. Fr. Ongola Gerald and Rev. Fr. Kamuti Benedict, were ordained to the priesthood, while Deacons Simon Peter Mukasa Balikuddembe and Asiimire Aloysius were also ordained.
While mourning the young monarch, Bishop Kibuuka called upon Ugandans to pray for and comfort the people of Tooro Kingdom as they come to terms with the loss of their king.
He also challenged the newly ordained clergy to dedicate their lives to serving God and His people, noting that priesthood requires prayer, commitment, sacrifice and self-denial.
Bishop Kibuuka said priests are entrusted with the responsibility of proclaiming liberty to those in captivity and serving as a bridge between God and His people.
He urged the clergy to demonstrate unconditional love towards everyone, regardless of their social or economic status, including the poor, sick, suffering and wealthy.
Bishop Kibuuka further cautioned the newly ordained priests against exploiting Christians for personal gain, urging them to exercise self-control, patience, kindness and tenderness in their interactions with believers.
He encouraged the priests to remain committed to prayer, love the people they serve and make the Eucharist the centre of their daily lives and spiritual strength.
The Chairperson of the Board of Governors of Christ the King Seminary, Martha Ddambya, also urged the newly ordained clergy to love and welcome the people entrusted to their care.
Ddambya said churches should remain places where people find solace and hope amid the challenges of life, warning that unfriendly or unwelcoming clergy could drive Christians away from God.
She also cautioned the clergy about their conduct on social media, urging them to be careful about what they post, say and do in private, noting that social media users can easily share incomplete versions of events.
“In this era of ours, be very careful with social media. Be careful with what you share, what you say and what you do in your privacy, since everyone is a reporter,” Ddambya said.
