The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown will welcome two young men to the priesthood on Saturday, July 3, 2021.
The Ordination Mass of Deacon Moses Kabuga Gikandi and Deacon Omaris Valmond is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. at the St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, Jemmott’s Lane, St Michael.
Bishop Neil Scantlebury is set to preside over the ceremony to be held less than one month after he was ordained the first Barbadian bishop of the Diocese of Bridgetown at the same church.
The priestly ordination of Deacons Gikandi and Valmond comes during a general decline in men becoming priests worldwide and at a time in the Diocese when some priests are reaching retirement age.
Gikandi was born in Kenya on May 12, 1983 and is the youngest of his parents’ seven children. Before studying at the Cave Hill and St Augustine campuses of the University of the West Indies, he had his early education at Munanda Primary and Ol’Kalon Secondary schools in his native country.
Reflecting on his upcoming ordination, Deacon Gikandi said, “Priesthood is a calling to be another Christ to the people of God; a call to give myself as Christ did; a call to become both a priest and a victim…I know the Grace of God will always accompany me. He has called me and He will equip me to accomplish what He wants through me.”
Valmond hails from the nature isle of Dominica. He and his twin sister Kharra were born eight minutes apart on January 22, 1988. After his family moved to the United States, he studied Architecture and Business there, but later entered the seminary.
Deacon Valmond is full of gratitude.
“I thank God so much for His incredible Grace and Mercy. I thank my parents, for their unconditional love and care; my sister, for her remarkable support in everything – from the womb to the altar. And my entire family for such amazing love, guidance and support. I thank all the friends that I’ve made along the way.” (PR/SAT)
In case you missed it, watch highlights from the Ordination of Bishop Neil Scantlebury.
