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Candidates prostrating during the Litany of saints. All photos by Erema George. By Erema George Arua city Arua diocese has ordained nine deacons into priesthood and seven seminarians into deaconate during the 2026 ordination, a celebration of the holy orders l
Candidates prostrating during the Litany of saints. All photos by Erema George.
By Erema George
Arua city
Arua diocese has ordained nine deacons into priesthood and seven seminarians into deaconate during the 2026 ordination, a celebration of the holy orders led by the Bishop ordinary of Arua diocese, Rt. Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoki at Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral- Ediofe.
“Do you resolve to exercise the ministry of the word worthily and wisely preaching the gospel and teaching the catholic faith? Do you promise respect and obedience to me and my successor?” the Bishop asked the candidates while examining the sacrament and at each point, the candidates responded I do.
The bishop said, “May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to fulfillment” as in the doctrine of the Catholic Church.
Candidates being presented to Bishop Odoki by their parents.
The service of priesthood and diaconate are two distinct degrees of ordained ministry in the Sacrament of Holy Orders, focused on sacramental leadership and servant charity.
During his homily the bishop emphasized that the call to serve as a priest and a deacon is a responsibility that must be taken with humility;
“You have said yes to this calling. St. Paul is teaching us to work with humility. A priest, a deacon without humility is not serving God and the people. St. Paul is telling us to preach and that preaching or teaching when you are a minister of God and the Church is not a choice, it’s an obligation so make sure wherever you go, you share the word of God.”
The bishop also extended his voice to the larger Christian community to support those ordained and those already serving the church noting that the need support from the Christians in doing their work;
“These new priests and deacons will need your support and there are some already who are retired and some are very sick and we have nowhere to keep them, we have no means to keep them so any of us who come to you, be ready to support us the priests.”
Speaking on behalf of the newly ordained, Rev. Fr. Johnson Mutu extended words of appreciation;
“I remember last year when we were ordained deacons, one of the Christians said, continue doing the good things that brought you to this level, so we would also want to wish that all of us newly ordained continue doing those good things that have brought us to this level so that the vocation, the call we have embraced with both hands may not be lost on the way.” Fr. Mutu recounted appreciating everyone for participating in the organization of the day.
The Arua Catholic Diocese has about 200 priests serving in the region, according to recent statements by the Arua Diocese leadership. The newly ordained priests join the list of the priests in the diocese of Arua who will serve in the 69 parishes and sub parishes across the diocese.
The candidates after being presented for ordination.