Soroti Catholic Diocese has officially released the Sacred Ordination Banns announcing the elevation of three seminarians to the Diaconate as they take the next major step in their journey of service to the Church.
The announcement was made in a circular dated November 17, 2025, issued from the Bishop’s Office and signed by the Ordinary of the Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Eciru Oliach.
According to the communication, the three candidates, Seminarian Omoding Emmanuel of St. Paul’s Parish, Kumi, Seminarian Omongot Cassian of St. Pancras Parish, Toroma And Seminarian Otukene Marvin of the Most Holy Rosary Parish, Asamuk have been approved for Sacred Ordination after fulfilling the requirements of formation and discernment.
The Diocese outlined clear details on when each candidate will receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
Two of the candidates, Omoding Emmanuel and Omongot Cassian, will be ordained to the Diaconate on Friday, January 9, 2026, at St. Francis of Assisi Acumet Parish.
Their ordination will take place during the closing Mass of the Men’s Conference, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The event is expected to draw clergy, religious men and women, and the lay faithful from across the diocese.
The third candidate, Otukene Marvin, who is currently undertaking ecclesiastical studies in Rome, will be ordained on January 11, 2026, at Almo Collegio Capranica, one of the oldest seminaries in the Eternal City. His ordination Mass has been scheduled for 18:00 hours.
The Diocese highlighted the importance of these twin ceremonies, noting that the Sacrament of Holy Orders is both a gift and a responsibility.
The newly ordained deacons will join the ranks of clergy who serve through liturgy, proclamation of the Gospel, and various ministries of charity to the People of God.
In line with the canon law of the Catholic Church, the Bishop emphasized the mandatory public proclamation of the ordination banns. Canon 1043 and Canon 1051, 2° of the Code of Canon Law oblige all the faithful to reveal any known impediments that may prevent a candidate from validly receiving ordination.
The Diocese reminded parish pastoral councils and parish priests that the banns must be publicly announced during parish gatherings and Sunday Masses.
The circular requires that the proclamation be completed and duly signed before being returned to the Chancery Office by Wednesday, December 10, 2025.
The announcement further emphasized that this process is not merely administrative but an important part of the Church’s safeguarding measures to ensure that every candidate for Holy Orders is properly formed, morally upright and free from canonical obstacles.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Eciru Oliach urged all Christians within the Diocese of Soroti to accompany the candidates with prayer as they prepare to embrace a lifelong commitment of service.
“Let us offer our prayerful support to our brothers as they prepare to embrace this life long commitment to serve God in His people,” the Bishop wrote in his message.
The Bishop noted that ordination to the Diaconate marks a significant step in the journey toward priesthood and as such, the support of the Christian community is essential.
Families, parish communities, deaneries and friends of the candidates have also been encouraged to continue helping the candidates spiritually and morally as they ready themselves for ministry.
The ordination of three new deacons will come as a major boost to Soroti Catholic Diocese, which continues to grow both spiritually and numerically.
Increasing vocations are seen as a sign of a vibrant and active faith community. Over the years, the Diocese has invested heavily in the formation of priests through local seminaries and international institutions such as the one in Rome where Seminarian Marvin Otukene is studying.
The upcoming ordinations are also expected to strengthen pastoral outreach across the parishes, many of which rely on the presence of deacons for liturgical assistance, catechesis, youth ministry and coordination of parish apostolates.
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