UGANDA: Cleric Described as a Man of the People at Priestly Golden Jubilee
Fr Balinandi With Holy Childhood Members
Masereka Peter
Fr. Balinandi was ordained a Priest on 14th Dec 1974 at Nsenyi Parish by Bishop Vincent J. McCauley in the Presence of Bishop Sarapio Magambo and Bishop Kathaliko Emmanuel from Butembo- Beni Catholic Diocese as the third priest from the Diocese of Kasese, following the late Msgr Augustine Muhindo, who was ordained the first priest in 1958 and Fr. Louis Isingoma Byakuyamba in 1972.
In his speech shortly after Mass presided over by the Ordinary of Kasese, Rt. Rev. Francis Aquirinus Kibira Kambale, Fr. Balinandi was described as a priceless person in the Diocese and the district at large, who has contributed to the development of spiritual, culture, and environment.
Bishop Francis Kibira said Holy Matrimony is considered a strong Sacrament in the Catholic Church that couples need to guard jealously because it is a breeder of other Sacraments,
Bishop Kibira who called for lessons on Catechism among children, said for the church to have good priests and married couples among other vocations in the church, parents need to have reason and put value in marriage so as to nurture focused servants of the Church and the community.
In his message, the Archbishop Emeritus of Gulu Archdiocese His Grace John Baptist Odama a classmate of Fr. Balinandi echoed other people’s description of the priest that he is a man of great conviction about life as a priest. Besides, he continued, “I have his memories of having a strong passion for liturgy and very keen on following liturgical rules and the word of God.”
The bishop Emeritus of Kasese Rt. Rev. Egidio Nkaijanabwo said Fr. Balinandi was a man of good tradition and loved his culture. He is well-grounded in the Lhukonzo language. Through his culture, self-taught, and through his further education, Fr. Balinandi has proved proficient in the Lhukonzo language. Among other competencies, he translated many liturgical books into the local language above all he respected his Kingdom.
In his homily, Rev. Fr. Expedito Masereka, the curate at Bukangara Catholic Parish, urged Christians to learn from Fr. Balinandi to develop holistically by beginning with themselves.
The former Pastoral coordinator commended the celebrant for his unification contributions and for promoting the Lhukonzo language, a task that compels Christians in other vocations to fulfill their obligations with focus and hope as expected to the end.
The Jubilant, Fr. Balinandi Kambale with a lot of excitement commended Bishop Kibira for the love and care in his old age, saying he was overwhelmed with the love, generosity, and care shown to him by Christians and well-wishers.
The Kasese Diocesan Head of Laity, Mr. George Mayinja, urged parents to nurture their children in line with the Church Ministry but also invest in their Education.
The former woman Member of Parliament for Kasese District, Hon. Winnie Kiiza hailed Rev. Fr. Balinandi Kambale for mediating peace between the central government and Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu in the early 90’s.
Msgr. Bonaventure Kyalingoza and Fr. Peter Isingoma, the schoolmate of Fr. Balinandi and Catholic Priests in Hoima Diocese, described the jubilant as an icon of music, dance, drama, and culture who made them fall for the Kikonzo culture and tradition during their time in Seminary.
Mr. Raphael Kaherwa, a member of the choir during the Priestly Ordination of Fr. Balinandi in 1974, described the golden jubilee celebrations of the oldest serving Priest in the diocese, as a historical event to him, recalling the historical directive by Pope that ushered in the translation of many church write-ups, including the Bible, into the local languages.
To Rev. Fr. Peter Basaliza Mubunga, the Parish Priest of Kitswamba Parish, Fr. Balinandi a generous servant of God and a mentor, is more than his father for he funded his education from P6 to priesthood.
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