By Our Reporter
Mbarara
The Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese, Rt Rev Lambert Bainomugisha, has called for financial support of over 220m shillings to assist the diocese in supporting the education of seminarians.
The Archbishop revealed that this year, the diocese needs the funds to cater for the 119 seminarians in formation. Speaking during the ordination mass where he ordained 9 Priests and 13 deacons, the Archbishop made an appeal to ordinary Catholics and generous persons to contribute to the education of the seminarians.
The Archbishop thanked Father Bashobora for continuous support under Fr.Bash foundation, through which he has sponsored a good number of seminarians.
A source who preferred anonymity told Parrots Media that students joining Seminary pay a fee of about Ug shs.2M per semester much higher than that required for pursuing a Bachelor’s degree at a University. The fee does not include other requirements and upkeep.
Anonymous source further disclosed that this fee is paid by the seminarians’ guardians or sponsors who have also become so scarce due to the effects of COVID-19.
Hon. Francis Mwebesa, the Minister for Trade, Investment and Cooperatives, pledged to continue supporting the diocese, as he has always done, while also urging the ordained priests to always know about government programs in order not to misguide Christians. He exhorted them to always remember the Bible verse that says, “Give Caesar what belongs to Caesar and God what belongs to God”. When addressing the ordained Priests and Deacons, the Archbishop reminded them that they were selected from the people and have been ordained for the people; their mission is to do God’s work and benefit the community.
The Head of Laity in Mbarara Archdiocese, Gervase Ndyanabo, urged Christians to include the priests in their prayers and to guide them whenever they go astray instead of judging and laughing at them.
