How to become an Anglican priest

Rev Canon Stephen Tirwomwe, the Provost at All Saints cathedral, says he always acted as a priest or religious person in local plays, an act that made him commit his life to Christ at 17 years.

A fiery desire of becoming a reverend burned within him causing him to seek counsel from his local church so that preparations of turning him into an actual reverend – away from the dramatised one – could start. But this was not as fast as he thought it would be.

After completing senior four, he went to the former Bishop Tucker Theological College in Mukono, now Uganda Christian University (UCU), to seek placement. However, he was first trained as a grade three teacher.

“After my training, the principal sent me to practise as a teacher which I did for three years before returning to the theological college,” Tirwomwe says.

He adds that everyone who wants to be ordained should at least have the minimum qualification of a university degree with a field of speciality. This is because through the skills that one has, one can help to develop the church parish and contribute to the well-being of others. It is uncommon in the Anglican Church for school dropouts to join theological school unless they have had a long experience with the church; for example, having served as a youth leader.To read more, click here.