Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba, in his preaching during the ordination Mass on Thursday, August 7, defined what he meant by an \u201cannoying priest,\u201d and cautioned against behavior that undermines the sacred mission of the priesthood.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn annoying priest is one who is not available for Mass, not available for confessions, and visiting communities,\u201d the Archbishop said and narrated, \u201cThe priest rushes through the celebration of sacraments, comes late to functions, never smiles, and does not make the youth and children feel welcome in Church.\u201d<\/p>\n
Instead, Archbishop Muhatia, who doubles as the Chairman for the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), called priests to be the kind of servants who reflect the love and mercy of God through their very presence.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must be attractive priests, punctual, committed, available, prayerful, and holy. These are the priests to whom the Father points and says, \u2018This is my son, listen to him,\u2019 he emphasized.<\/p>\n
Speaking directly to Deacon Agunda just before his priestly ordination, the Archbishop encouraged him to embrace the new calling wholeheartedly, saying, \u201cThere are no impossible places in the world when it comes to the life of a priest. Go and minister to the people. The rest, leave to God. Don\u2019t be an annoying priest. Be a good priest. Do your work.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his Thursday homily, Archbishop Muhatia reminded the congregation that every ordained priest carries a great responsibility as one who represents Christ. Drawing from the Gospel passage when God said, \u201cThis is my Son\u2026 listen to him,\u201d<\/em> he stressed that the divine affirmation applies to every priest.<\/p>\n He encouraged the faithful to continually pray for their priests. \u201cSometimes we make mistakes. Don\u2019t just criticize us, pray for us to be better agents of God\u2019s love and mercy. And pray for me too, not to become an annoying bishop,\u201d he added with a light touch.<\/p>\n The Archbishop further reflected on the words of the prophet Jeremiah, \u201cBefore I formed you in the womb, I appointed you,\u201d and <\/em>highlighted the sacredness of the priestly call, reminding the candidate, \u201cGod is doing you an honour. Just like He placed His words in the mouth of Jeremiah, He is placing His words in your mouth. You must speak not your own words, but God\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n According to the Archbishop, Deacon Agunda was being ordained to the priesthood at a time of renewed missionary spirit within the Archdiocese of Kisumu and his home parish of Ukwala, which has long-standing ties with the congregation commonly referred to as Mill Hill Missionaries.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/communications.amecea.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_4420-300x200.jpg\")
\u201cThis message places a huge responsibility on us as priests. We must do and say things that are worth listening to,\u201d the Archbishop said, implying that priests need to live exemplary lives<\/strong> that reflect the Gospel, and their words and actions<\/strong> should be meaningful, truthful, and spiritually nourishing.<\/p>\n
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He concluded by reminding Fr. Agunda, who is set to begin his priestly ministry in Juba Archdiocese, South Sudan, and all priests to be with the people, especially those who suffer.<\/p>\n