AMECEA: Call to Priesthood Requires Adaptation: Cleric’s Advice to Seminarians at AMECEA’s Bakanja College
Seminarians Blessed Bakanja AMECEA College (BBAC)
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Seminarians of Blessed Bakanja AMECEA College (BBAC) situated in Nairobi Archdiocese have been advised that priesthood is a call that requires adaptation so as to fit in the ministry of service.
“The identity of a priest is to be extremely adaptable hence if you are not adaptable, you are not priesthood material,” Vice Chancellor and Rector of The Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) Rev. Prof. Stephen Mbugua Ngari told the seminarians in a homily during the opening Mass of a new semester at Bakanja Chapel Sunday, January 16.
“Adaptation to priesthood or to Religious life is a necessity, failure to which you incriminate the processes you do in the society,” Prof. Stephen Mbugua highlighted to the seminarians who are drawn from various countries within the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) region and beyond adding, “As you prepare towards priesthood, focus on many things that make you adaptive.”
Speaking to over 30 seminarians who were already back in the seminary to continue with studies, Fr. Mbugua who was the main celebrant for the Sunday event pointed out that priesthood also requires one to be a scholar.
“We have to be lovers of knowledge, and perpetually cultivate that wisdom to help you in your ministry,” the VC said reminding them that they cannot give what they do not have and it is through the acquired knowledge that “evangelization can be relevant in the society.”
He added, “As you are being formed to become priests, you have the opportunity to be academicians and be able to merge reason and faith. Through this, you can discern the will of God and what you need in life. The theology you are learning is to help you understand the world, your relationship with others and with God.”
Reflecting on the day’s Scripture readings, Fr. Mbugua encouraged the seminarians to use their talents wisely for the good of all.
“All of us have various gifts given by God. Our talents, knowledge, intelligence and individual approaches to the world should not be a stumbling block; rather the variation in gifts should make us complement one another for the purpose of which we were created,” he said.
