Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon.
Priests in the Diocese of Buea and the newly ordained seven Deacons into Priesthood have been reminded to live like Jesus Christ. This was the kernel of Mgr. Immanuel Bushu’s sermon during a colourful ordination ceremony at the Buea Co-Cathedral Site, Thursday, April 4 2013.
The Prelate of Buea Diocese told Rev. Nicholas Nanji Ngoh, Rev. Raymond Esuka Ekosse, Rev. Moses Nikume Njoh, Rev. Emmanuel Ndode, Rev. Michael Agbecha, Rev. Valentine Ambe and Rev. Stephen Nnorom, now Priests in Buea Diocese, that the church started by Jesus Christ is the sign of salvation.
Bishop Bushu in the company of his newly ordained Priests
According to Mgr. Bushu, ordained Priests take the signs from God’s words, which have been reiterated by Jesus Christ.
He mentioned that after the 1971 Synod in the Vatican, Priests were said to be Divine and must be amongst their Christians. “Ordained Priests are a necessity to their Christians. The Priesthood is not a part time job. You have to serve and die in it,” he added.
The Priests in Buea Diocese were entreated to do their work all the time, everywhere when duty calls, continuously build the church on earth and be the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Inspired by the writings in one of the sixteen books from the Vatican Council II documents, Mgr. Bushu said; “The Ministry and life of a Priest is in the service and work for Christ.”
He told the newcomers trouble will be there all the time and the manner in which they are tackled makes them a Priest. “Temptation will be aplenty because of the devil,” he said.
Mgr Bushu performs the Ordination rites on Deacons
Mgr. Bushu told his Priests to live the Priesthood every day, guard against laziness, should not be negligent, especially in their prayers and attending to Christians, avoid being ignorant, must read all the time, be innovative in preaching God’s words and in their explanation of theology to the Christ’s faithful.
To the Christians, Bishop Bushu enjoined them to pray and guide their Priests. “Support them with prayers, good words and in all their sufferings so that they will be Holy like God in Heaven. A Priest is chosen by God. They are expected to always be on the alert, like soldiers in the army, they have to be courageous all the time.”
He made a request to the more than four thousand Christians who turned out for the spiritually significant ceremony to praise God and thank Him for His glory that is on and on and the endless gifts given to mankind.
Rev sisters at the ordination
He said if there is no believe, there is no Priesthood, “So, believe for God, believe for Jesus Christ and His Church.”
On behalf of the seven new Priests, Rev. Fr Raymond Esuka Ekosse thanked God for the gift of Priesthood, Mgr Bushu for accepting them in his Diocese, the Christians and their immediate family members for all the support given to them so far, while wishing that it should continue now, more than ever before.
Rev. Fr Valentine Ambe expressed joy, giving praise to God for all that is happening to his life, his fellow brothers in the Priesthood and mankind in general.
“I am now a workman in God’s vineyard. A Priest is a servant and not to be served. I have been waiting all my life to have this opportunity to serve the people of God. I am ready to feed the people who are hungry for the food, which is the word of God,” he said.
Huge turn out at Ordination Ceremony
He reiterated his commitment to carry the burden that Jesus Christ carried. “It’s all about hard work, perseverance, persecution and following Christ with His cross and all that goes with it.
Rev. Fr Nicholas Nanji Ngoh said the gift of Priesthood is beyond human comprehension and it is a mystery. “I count myself privileged to share in such a mystery and to be able to celebrate the mysteries of Christ, to sanctify the people of God and to prepare them to be sent to Heaven. This is a delicate and noble task one can ever imagine on earth.
This day was made by the Lord, let’s rejoice and be glad.”
