At a priestly ordination of a member of St. Joseph’s Missionary Society of Mill Hill in Kenya’s Kisumu Archdiocese at Our Lady of Fatima Ukwala Parish, the Local Ordinary cautioned the newly ordained Kenyan-born cleric, Fr. Julius Oketch Agunda, against becoming what he termed as “an annoying priest,” calling instead for a ministry that is marked by holiness, availability, and joyful service.
Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba, in his preaching during the ordination Mass on Thursday, August 7, defined what he meant by an “annoying priest,” and cautioned against behavior that undermines the sacred mission of the priesthood.
“An annoying priest is one who is not available for Mass, not available for confessions, and visiting communities,” the Archbishop said and narrated, “The priest rushes through the celebration of sacraments, comes late to functions, never smiles, and does not make the youth and children feel welcome in Church.”
Instead, Archbishop Muhatia, who doubles as the Chairman for the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), called priests to be the kind of servants who reflect the love and mercy of God through their very presence.
“We must be attractive priests, punctual, committed, available, prayerful, and holy. These are the priests to whom the Father points and says, ‘This is my son, listen to him,’ he emphasized.
Source: AMECEA
