UGANDA: Bloom where you are Planted, Bishop Kibira, to the Clerics
By Masereka Peter
Clerics in the Diocese of Kasese have been urged to flourish and bear fruit where God has placed them, and use the different gifts given them by the Holy Spirit to transform the Mother Church and the entire world.
The statement was made by the Rt. Rev. Francis Aquirinus Kibira Kambale, while celebrating the Chrism Mass at Our Lady of Assumption Kasese Cathedral in Kasese town.
Bishop Kibira blessed three Holy oils, including the sacred Chrism used during Baptism, Confirmation, and Ordination, as well as the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumen.
During the same Mass, all priests in Kasese Diocese renewed their promise of Obedience to the Bishop, a sign that shows the unity and love of the priests with the sitting Bishop.
Bishop Kibira told the congregation that envy, malice, hatred, and resentment among God’s people and clerics are likely to arise when one desires to flower where others have already planted.
The Bishop instead advised the priests to use the gift of the Holy Spirit to lead their souls to salvation, as well as contributing to the development of the church.
The Prelate also urged the Christians to observe unity in their daily activities and live exemplary lives.
Kambale called on priests for continuous sacrifice for the church and salvation of souls amidst temptations by the forces of Satan. Said in his meditation during their Ad Limina visit, the Holy Spirit guided him to tell his people that devotion to Mother Mary and seeking her intercession is not optional but a necessity to Christians as a means for multiple ways of communicating with God.
Quoting the late President Nelson Mandela of South Africa and the former President of the US Barack Obama, Bishop Kibira called for self-evaluations by individual Christians, and asked them to promote reconciliation to counteract any forces of injustices and ill treatment to them.
According to the Catholic Liturgical Calendar, Chrism Mass is celebrated on Holy Thursday, but for pastoral reasons, it could be done on a different day.
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