Gikandi, Valmond to be ordained Saturday

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown will welcome two young men to the priesthood this Saturday.

The ordination of Deacon Moses Kabuga Gikandi and Deacon Omaris Valmond takes place less than a month after the Episcopal Ordination of The Most Reverend Neil Scantlebury as the first Barbadian bishop of the Diocese of Bridgetown.

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.

Deacon Gikandi was born in Kenya on May 12, 1983. He 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, Deacon Gikandi 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.”

Deacon 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,” he said.

The Ordination Mass will be held at 10 a.m. at the St.Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, Jemmott’s Lane, St. Michael, and Bishop Neil Scantlebury will preside.  (PR)