“Leave no Child Behind”, Bishop Eduardo’s Agenda on The Reopening of St. Joseph Minor Seminary
On May 11 the Diocese Tombura Yambio Reopened St. Joseph Minor Seminary
“Leave no Child Behind”, Bishop Eduardo’s Agenda on The Reopening of St. Joseph
Minor Seminary
By Sr. Henriette Anne Owino (FSSA)
At the reopening of St. Joseph Minor Seminary in the Catholic Diocese of Tombura Yambio (CDTY) which was closed for 6 years due to insecurity purposes and lack of enough space for extracurricular activities, Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, the local Ordinary of the diocese reminded the congregation during the Eucharistic celebration, not to leave any child behind.
Initially, the Seminary was located in St. Augustine Catholic Parish in Yambio town but now relocated to St. Joseph Catholic Parish Maingbangaru five miles away from Yambio.
During the opening ceremony on May 11 Eucharist, Bishop Hiiboro who was the main celebrant insisted that the seminary is for raising future priest and in case they fall they are not casted into hell but they become part of productive society.
“The Seminary is to raise future priests! Whenever young people fall off during the training in the Seminary, they are not cast into hell but into and for productive society. So, the training of our seminarian belongs to all faithful of this diocese” he explained.
Referencing history that those who leave seminary tend to be great leaders in the society the Bishop said “many of the young people who left our Seminary have emerged as great leaders, so the training is holistic and collaborative” he said.
In his homily, the prelate acknowledges that the training of priests is comprehensive therefore the CDTY will provide information about what it means to train a priest in order to “manifest accountability, increase in understanding and awareness”.
“to manifest accountability, and to increase understanding and awareness, CDTY will continue to provide information about what it means to train a priest today for a lifetime of healthy, holy, and joyful ministry. The work of priestly formation is a comprehensive and continual effort on the part of the whole seminary community”.
Bishop Eduardo explained that the training aspect will be very crucial which must include “Personal prayers with Holy Scriptures, Music school, Farming, skills of all types including cooking, public speaking, critical thinking courses, Latin language, Pazande, Kiswahili and Arabic.
While the Seminary Administration through the Parish will be providing Primary School learning and Kindergarten, Bishop Hiiboro offered free scholarship for students in the village surrounding St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary Maingbangaru.
In the celebration attended by priests, religious sisters, seminarians, government official and lay faithful, Bishop Kussala promised that St. Joseph Minor Seminary “will continue to adhere carefully to the universal and national norms articulated by Church for formation of candidates for priesthood”, stressing that seminary does not promote immoral behavior.
“St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary has and will continue, to adhere carefully to the universal and national norms articulated by the Church for the formation of candidates for the priesthood. The seminary does not tolerate immoral behavior or abuse of any kind within its own programs, and further, discerns rigorously the candidates who are admitted, all of whom are evaluated throughout their studies”.
The school that has reopened with 92 seminarians has three classesincluding seniors 1, 2 and 3 and the Bishop has appointed a complete leadership for the Seminary which includes; Rev. Fr. Louis Nvuekama Zamoi – Spiritual Director, Rev. Abel Tindi – Team Leader (Rector), Mr. Amati Henry – Head Teacher, Rev. Fr. Peter Babitimo Constatino – Dean of Studies and Deacon Moses Tameregu – Vice Rector.
Bishop Hiiboro who took over the leadership of CDTY in June 29th 2008 thanked the Archbishop of Toledo and the entire Archdiocese for their generous contribution in kind and funds. He also thanked Fr. Christopher Hartley, a Fidei Donum priest for giving his all to see the Seminary stands, promising Fr. Christopher and the Archdiocese of Toledo prayers collaboration.
For successful realization of the growth of the seminary, the Church leader has asked members of the diocese and friends for support saying.. “The seminary's needs to grow, it is still in proper need of infrastructures such as classrooms, chapel, dinning, resource centers, staff residence, running water, washrooms, equipment and many others! Recognizing the need for a fitting home for seminarians and staff to gather around the altar each day”.
He added, “Consider joining sympathizers for Seminarians 2022 by making a donation to support the critical work of building a culture of vocations throughout CDTY. You can join by simply making an annual gif to join today. Help us inform and engage the faithful in the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio in the formation and support of our seminarians.
He urged priests, nuns and the laity to “pray that the seminary may produce so many local vocations to the CDTY and also pray for priest specifically that God may strengthen them to serve the people of God”.
