These were the words echoed by His Lordship Bishop Immanuel Bushu on the occasion of the Priestly ordination of 9 Deacons into Priesthood recently at the Divine Mercy Co-Cathedral Site, Molyko Buea.

During the ordination Mass which brought together family members and friend, Priest and Religious, and well wishers, the Bishop urged the newly ordained priests, in his words, “Be one with God and be a servant to Christians, so that we may all make it to Heaven”.

He challenged the new priests to respect the Holy Sacrament of Order and live up to the demands of a priest without which their lives as priest will be worthless.

He said if a priest carries out his duties by celebrating Mass and giving Sacraments, the church and the word of God will definitely grow. To this, Bishop Bushu underlined, it does not suffice to be ordained as priest but there must be willingness to do the work of God.

To Christians Bishop Bushu said they should restrain from laughing and criticizing Priest in their down moments as it equals laughing at Christ whom the priest represent here on earth he asked Christians to pray for them during such moments because as priest they are faced with temptations and challenges.

He concluded his sermon by reminding the newly ordained priests that they have been chosen as God’s servants thus they must carry on the work of Christ and be united with him in all they do.

A representative of the ordained Priest Rev. Fr. Namongo Peter declared that, as priests they will strive to live a commendable life as Jesus Christ despite the challenges of the contemporary world where people perceive the things of God as old fashion. He thanked their friends, family members, older Priests and Religious for their unwavering support through their journey to priesthood.

The ordination ended with the newly ordained priests blessing the Bishop, Priest, family members and well wishers who were present to witness the ceremony. Worthy of note in this year’s ordination was the ordination of Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Epie as the First Mill Hill Missionary Priest from the South West Region.