AUXILIARY Bishop Methodius Kilaini, who is also Bukoba Catholic Diocese Apostolic Administrator, will tomorrow ordain 11 Deacons to priesthood at the Mater Misericordie Cathedral in Bukoba Municipal Council.
Bishop Kilaini told the ‘Daily News’ in an interview at his office that he feels honoured to ordain the 11 Deacons, since he was appointed the Apostolic Administrator for Bukoba Catholic Diocese by Pope Francis.
He named the Deacons with their respective parishes in brackets as Fr Africanus Bigirwamungu (Kyebitembe), Fr Arsenius Muchunguzi (Mafumbo), Fr Avitus Mulokozi (Itahwa), Fr Francis Karugaba (Rubya) and Fr Fridolinus Muchunguzi (Mubunda).
Others are Frolian Rutashubanyuma (Kashambya), Fr Francis Kaihuzi (Rubya), Fr Innocent Mwemezi (Bukoba), Fr Revocatus Mutashobya (Kishogo), Fr Robert Rwehikiza (Rutabo) and Fr Salvius Kagugu (Ichwandimi).
“The Bukoba Vicariate was established in 1929 while to-date a total of 266 priests have been ordained. The 11 Deacons will bring the total number of priests to 277, while active diocesans priests were 164,” he said.
The Prelate further said that Bukoba Diocese has 41 parishes with over 1 million followers.
Narrating the development, he noted that Pope Francis gave the consent for the retirement of Bukoba Catholic Diocese Bishop Deziderius Rwoma, who attained the retirement age of 75 years. Bishop Rwoma’s retirement came into effect on October 1, 2022.
In the course, Pope Francis appointed Auxiliary Bishop Methodius Kilaini, as Apostolic Administrator of Bukoba Diocese pending the appointment of a new bishop.
