UGANDA: Bishop Kibira calls for a Gender Balanced Board for Seminary

Mr. Masereka Peter

The Bishop chair for priestly formation and institutes of concentrated life committee in Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC), Rt. Rev. Francis Aquirinus Kibira has called on diocese administrations to run major and minor Seminaries with a good board of Governors that is conscious of gender balance and wisdom to guide young seminarians.

Bishop Kibira said seminaries should not only focus on academic excellence but also the formation and morals of their students, saying he was impressed with seminaries that have appointed women on the board of Governors the gender he describes as the best educators.

Bishop Kibira encouraged rectors of seminaries to organize special occasions for candidates at advanced level, and those in their last year of philosophy and theology should be advised and encouraged to take their commitments.

He said this in Holy Mass where 193 students from eight secondary schools and one primary school were confirmed in the Catholic Church at St. John the Evangelist Minor Seminary-Kiburara.

In his Homily, the Local Ordinary of Kasese said that the Holy Spirit gives gifts for the common good of the church and community, arguing that the public should not envy the talented but rather help them put their talents to good use as written in the letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.

He reminded Christians that they are the vineyard of Christ with a role to bear good fruits with the help of Christ’s blood thus, encouraging them to use the sacrament of penance to renew their lives, as well as praying for one another.

The Seminary Vice Rector, Fr. Morris Grace Lhusinge urged parents and guardians to be conscious by sending their children to schools with conducive environments that will help them academically, physically, and spiritually.

The Seminary Board of Directors’ Vice-chairperson, Ms. Florence Basaliza said St. John’s Seminary was academically progressing well each year and has so far produced over 40 priests and more in religious congregation among others.