GUIDELINES FOR SPONSORSHIP OF SEMINARIANS

The Archdiocese of Tororo is fortunate to have many vocations, which are needed if the Church is truly to become indigenous. We presently have 200 minor and 25 major seminarians, as well as four novitiates for nuns at Pallisa, Tororo, Nyondo, and Mbale. Also, the Benedictine Fathers are in the process of building a monastery in Tororo.

These young people are the future, not only of the Church, but of Uganda itself. The contributions we receive from the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and the parents (guardians), as well as the Archdiocese of Tororo, to support our seminarians and novices is inadequate. The young people are generous of spirit and most willing to respond to the call to serve their God and their people, but most of them come from families and conditions which can only be described as deprived.

The Archdiocese must meet the shortfall of approximately US$700 per year for each major seminarian in a country where the annual income is US$230 per capita. The major seminary course lasts seven years, including the Spiritual Year.

Your decision to become a sponsor greatly benefits our Archdiocese, which includes over two million people. The impact of your gift to our major seminarians will be felt for generations to come and will serve as a perpetual remembrance of your family and yourself.

In order to facilitate the process of sponsorship of major seminarians, we have established the following guidelines:

1)  We urge that all correspondence between the seminarians and the sponsors be directed through the Archbishop.

2)  We discourage the giving of donations and gifts directly to the seminarians. Any extra assistance given by sponsors should be directed through the Archbishop.

3)  The seminarians have been instructed to refrain from direct requests to the sponsors.

4)  Any requests for emergency assistance should be directed to the Archbishop.

5)  Should the sponsored seminarian withdraw from his chosen vocation, the Archbishop will designate another seminarian to continue receiving the benefits of that sponsorship.

6)  In view of the political and social instability prevalent in Uganda, we ask that you direct your correspondence and donations to the Archbishop at the following address:

c/o Reverend John B. Kauta
Mission Cooperative Plan
Archdiocese of Tororo
PO Box 490
Bedford, NY 10506-0490

We appreciate your generous expression of Christian love and concern four our people. We keep you and all our benefactors in our prayers as you continue to help us in expanding the Kingdom of God.

Yours in Christ,

James Odongo
Archbishop of Tororo

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