By Jurugo Emmanuel Ogasto
A Catholic bishop has called on seminarians to take on leadership roles seriously while at school to be good priests in the future.
Bishop of Arua Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoki urged student leaders to take on their roles in the prefecture with zeal as it shapes their future.
He stated that, through the seminarians, the picture of the diocese will be seen after their formation and ordination into the priesthood.
Bishops Odoki was presiding over the swearing in and handover ceremony of the prefects at Saints Peter and Paul Minor Seminary, Pokea in Arua City during the 64th feast of the patron saints.
The bishop noted that whatever people see in the diocese is founded at Pokea Seminary since that is where most of the priests in the diocese begin their formation.
“We should learn to share the good things we do because that will be the good news that people will see in us in every aspect of church life,” Bishop Odoki added.
The clergy further called upon Christians to contribute towards making a seminarian a good priest in the future.
He said that the responsibility of nurturing priests lies in the hands of all Christians.
Rev. Fr. Richard Eneku, the Vice Rector and electoral commission chairperson of the minor seminary, appreciated the level of maturity seen in some of the student leaders.
“I can guarantee you that there is the future of the church in these young men. The church has a future in these young men,” he said.
Dr. George Didi Bhoka, a Member of Parliament for Obongi constituency who doubles as the chairperson of the Old Boys of the School, pledges full support to the alumni in nurturing the student leaders to ensure easy administration of the seminary.
“The prefects play a key role in supporting the seminary administration in ensuring discipline among the student community,” he noted.
“One of the things that we would like to encourage is that the prefects that have been sworn in should not just be left to gamble with administration and leadership,” he hinted.
According to Didi, they (prefects) need to be inducted into their roles and responsibilities.
He underscored that one of the roles of the alumni should include instilling discipline among the prefects to support the administration in ensuring good morals and good discipline in the seminary.
“That also requires us to work closely with the seminary administration,” Bhoka said.