By Stephen V. Lansana

Most Rev. Dr. Charles A.M. Campbell, Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Bo ordaining Rev. Patrick Vangahun as a Reverend Father.

Bo City: Priestly Ordination Ceremony, Friday, October 18th, 2024, Our Lady of Lourdes Quasi Parish, Madonna Primary School Compound, Bo, the Chief Celebrant, Most Rev. Dr. Charles A. M. Campbell, Bo of Catholic Diocese of Bo ordained Rev. Patrick Vangahun as a Reverend Father.

Performing the Rite of Ordination, the Vocations Director, Rev. Fr. Andrew James Tucker called the candidate; Rev. Vangahun to the altar and the Vicar General, Very Rev. Moses Kawa presented him to the Bishop to be ordained into the Priesthood. The Vicar General confirmed that “after inquiry among the Christian people and upon the recommendation of those concerned with his (Rev. Vangahun) formation, I testify that he has been found worthy.”

Relying on the help of the Lord God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, the Bishop chose Rev. Vangahun for the order of the Priesthood.

The Bishop questioned Rev. Vangahun to ascertain his “Promise of the Elect” and his “Promise of Obedience.”

Rev. Vangahun answered all the questions in an affirmative, “I do.”

Thereafter, whilst elect prostrates himself (kneeling) before the Bishop, he prayed for him and laid his hands on him and ordained him as a Reverend Father.

PROFILE OF REV. PATRICK VANGAHUN

Rev. Patrick Vangahun was born in Pujehun to Mr. Patrick S. P Vangahun and Madam Aminata Kuyateh. He began his primary education at the St. Francis primary school; Bo 1991-1995 (classes 1-3). He then continued at the R. C. Model primary school Bo 1995- 1998 where he sat to the National Primary School Examination (NPSE). He then gained admission at Christ the King College (C.K.C.) BO, where he did his secondary education 1998-2004.

His journey to the priesthood began in 2005 with the Congregation of the Holy Ghost (Spiritans) where he did his postulancy at the Spiritan House, Bo in 2005/2006 and novitiate in Ghana 2006/2007. However, three months to the end of the novitiate year, he decided to leave the Spiritans. He came home in 2007.

In 2008 he gained admission at the Njala University, where in 2012 he bagged a Bachelor of Arts degree (honours) in education. In the 2012/13 academic year, he taught at Christ the King College, Bo. He later left for The Gambia at the end of that academic year. In The Gambia, he taught at the Anglican Mission Upper Basic and Agricultural Senior Secondary School, Farafenni for two years (2013-2015).

He returned home in April 2015 to continue his journey into the priesthood which he abandoned eight years ago. However, due to the Ebola epidemic that year, the Catholic Diocese of Bo did not send seminarians to the seminary; while waiting he began teaching at the Tony Blair International Academy, Bo in the morning and Christ the King College in the afternoon from May-October 2015.

In November 2015, he began afresh his formation into the priesthood at the St. Kizito’s Pre-Major Seminary, Kenema. From October 2016 – June 2019, he did his philosophical studies and formation at the St. Paul’s Major Seminary, Regent in Freetown. After his philosophical studies, he was sent to Ivory Coast to do his pastoral year (August 2019 – September 2020). He was assigned at St. Martin’s Parish, Akoupé, and Diocese of Agboville. After his pastoral year, he gained admission at the “Grand Séminaire National, Saint Cœur de Marie, Anyama, Côte d’Ivoire”, where from 2020-2024 he did his theological studies and formation. He was ordained deacon on the 22nd July 2023 at St. Martin’s Parish, Akoupé, Diocese of Agboville, in Côte d’Ivoire by Bishop Alexis Touabli Youlo.

He returned home in June 2024 after his theological studies and formation. He was assigned at Our Lady of Victories Parish, Gerihun for his diaconate service while awaiting his priestly ordination which has occurred today, 18th October 2024. His First Mass was held on Sunday, October 20, 2024 in the same church.

May the Lord help him to remain faithful to His calling. Amen.

In his vote of thanks, Rev Father Patrick Vangahun thanked God for making him a laborer in His vineyard.

He expressed his thanked and appreciation to all those who contributed to his progress throughout his formation years.

He thanked his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Vangahun, and Madam Aminata Kuyatta for not only allowing him pursues his dream, but for supporting him throughout his formation.

He thanked all other family members, relatives and friends from Pujehun district, Salina village in Kailahun, and church members.

Rev. Fr. Vangahun blessing the Bishop being the first person to be blessed by the newly ordained Rev. Father after his ordination.