MASAKA . The Bishop of West Buganda Gaster Nsereko has urged priests to seek more knowledge and qualifications so that they are far ahead of their flocks.
Bishop Nsereko said many priests still rely on what they studied many years ago in theological schools yet the Christians who attend church services have taken advantage of advancement in technology to learn many things.
“A priest is always expected to be ahead of the Christians in terms of knowledge acquisition. When you stand on the pulpit and preach to the audience that is more knowledgeable than you, you become an embarrassment to the yourself and the Church, lets add value to ourselves by acquiring more knowledge and qualifications,” Bishop Gaster Nsereko said in a message delivered by Ven Canon Cranima Ssempebwa , the Provost of St. Paul Cathedral ,Kako on Sunday at the same church .
This was during a thanksgiving for Rev. Samuel Matovu Mbogo and Ms Ruth Namuganga who graduated in different disciplines from Uganda Martyrs University ,Nkozi on Saturday .Rev Mbogo , the head teacher of Sembabule Church of Uganda Secondary School graduated with a Master’s in Education Management and Administration while Ms Ruth Namuganga ,a nurse at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Science .
Eight years ago, West Buganda Diocese unveiled a programme where it started admitting and training people who possess diplomas or degrees into priest-hood . Under this arrangement, Grace Bible College , a theological school at Kako Hill in Masaka City phased out training priests on certificate level and focused on training lay leaders and all priests who want diplomas and degrees started enrolling at Namugongo Theological College or Uganda Christian University in Mukono .
How to join priesthood :
When one gets a calling to become a priest , they inform the parish priest and the Christians or the head of laity at the parish who writes a recommendation to the diocesan leaders . The candidate then sits for oral and written interviews .
They are also tasked to explain how they received the call to join the priesthood. When the panel is convinced ,the candidate is sent to either Namugongo Theological College to start studies ,especially for those on Diploma or Degree levels . Those at certificate level are taken to the diocesan college where they spend three years of study and later ordained priests.