Diaconate Ordination of the Comboni missionary Emmanuel Likonye in South Africa

Half a dozen Comboni confreres, a couple of diocesan priests, some religious men and women and a mammoth congregation of the parishioners participated in the vibrant celebration which included also the Parish Day.

The all-round preparation for the event was spot on and for this we sincerely thank the Comboni community and the Parish Lay leadership. The ceremony lasted three and half hours. Both clergy and lay faithful, young and senior actively and joyfully participated in the celebration which was punctuated with interludes of liturgical dancing to the local Xitsonga tunes.

In his speech Deacon Emmanuel expressed gratitude to a cross-section of persons who accompanied and mentored him. The Provincial Superior, Fr. John Baptist encouraged the newly ordained Deacon to “walk the talk” and accept the gift of Diaconate Ordination with “unassuming authority and spiritual discipline.” The Local Superior of Acornhoek, Fr. José Luis Román Medina welcomed the new Deacon and encouraged him to insert himself more in the life and pastoral programme of the community.

Finally, Bishop Thaddaeus Xolelo Kumalo expressed his joy for the opportunity to ordain Emmanuel, whom he nicknamed “Zacchaeus” due to his stature. Then citing an African saying, he exhorted all present not to be like frogs – amphibians who are comfortable both on land and in water but rather to be like fish who know that their life and safety are intrinsically linked to water. The point at stake is to stop living in two worlds but to focus on our fundamental option for Christ.

The ceremony was concluded with an agape lunch for all. It was indeed an experience of the Church as Family of God. In our South African context, it was also wonderful that some representatives from the White and Indian communities of the vast Parish of Acornhoek joined the majority Black community and remained the whole time of the event.

Fr. John Baptist Keraryo Opargiw