Bukavu, July 8, 2024 – The celebration of the ordination of four deacons as priests in Katana, in the Kabare territory in South Kivu, is a major event which brought together the Catholic community for a moment of faith and spiritual renewal. The Archbishop of Bukavu, Mgr François Xavier Maroy, presided over this solemn ceremony, calling on the new priests to exercise their ministry with dignity and dedication.
At the heart of his speech, Bishop Maroy stressed the importance for priests to be witnesses of Christ, to guide the faithful on the path of faith and charity, and to live in accordance with the teachings of the Church. He encouraged the new priests to serve the community with humility, to be pastors attentive to the spiritual needs of the faithful and to be models of Christian life.
The dimension of the commitment of the laity was also highlighted by the archbishop, emphasizing their essential role in the life of the Church and their responsibility to support and encourage priests in their pastoral mission.
The new priests, for their part, expressed their commitment to fulfilling their mission with dedication, respect and obedience to religious authority. They vowed to be faithful servants of God, the Church and the community, devoting themselves to prayer, the celebration of the sacraments and the proclamation of the Word of God.
This ordination ceremony marks the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of these men called to become pastors in the service of the people of God. It testifies to the vitality of the Christian faith in the South Kivu region and the desire of the faithful to respond to God’s call.
The next phases of ordination planned in other area parishes demonstrate the growth and diversity of clergy in the local Church. These moments of celebration are an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of fraternity between the different members of the ecclesial community and to demonstrate the vitality of faith in Congolese society.
In conclusion, the ordination of these new priests is a reminder of the importance of the priestly vocation in the life of the Church and society. It is a call for prayer and support from the faithful for their pastors, and a testimony to the commitment of men to respond to God’s call to serve his people.