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Dear Friends,

On this auspicious occasion of the 25th year of inception of this seminary, on 30 January 2023 along with Archbishop, Bishops, Priests, Staff, Seminarians and Alumni, I am grateful to the Almighty for all the blessings He has showered on St Charles Lwanga Major Seminary.

I thank our main celebrant His Excellency Archbishop Peter Wells, Apostolic Nuncio, the President of South African Bishops' Conference and the Bishop of Umtata His Excellency Sithemebele Sipuka, His Excellency Stanislaw Jan Dziuba, OSPPE, Bishop of Diocese of Umzimkulu, South Africa, Sua eccelenza Dom Pio Hipunhati del Ondjiava diocesi in Angola for their presence on the Jubilee day.

Thanks to the Late Archbishop Bonifatius Haushiku, ICP of Archdiocese of Windhoek for his patronage and the foundation of this seminary. In response to the invitation of Late Archbishop Bonifatius, Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) Congregation cordially assisted in the formation for the priests and religious since 25 years. Their committed works are applaudable and acknowledged.

The succeeding Bishops also considered the seminary as the apple of their eyes. They took keen interest in the progress of this seminary. Our former Bishops, late Anthony Chiminello OSFS, Philip Politzer OMI, Joseph Shikongo OMI, edified the seminarians by their prayerful and exemplary lives. The present Bishops, His Grace Liborius N. Nashenda, Archbishop of Windhoek, Bishop Willem Christiaans OSFS, of Keetmanshoop, Rev. Fr. Linus Ngenomesho OMI, of Vicariate of Rundu are shepherding the seminary very well. With grateful heart I remember all these Bishops for their remarkable service to the seminary.

The former Rectors, Rev. Fr Nicholas Mokatu, Rev. Dr. Thomas Manninezhath CMI and Rev. Dr. Benny Karuvelil CMI; and the former Staff developed the seminary by their hard work and commitment in forming the future priests. The Alma Mater remembers all of them with grateful heart. Special way I acknowledge the committed works of Rev. Dr. Hermenegildus Beris CMM, Rev.Fr Cyriak Kannezhath CMI, Rev Dr. John Etaniyil CMI, Rev Fr. Werner Afunde, Vicar General of Archdiocese of Windhoek. We are very grateful to the Pontifical society of St Peter, the Apostle and all benefactors for their continued financial support. I am sure the interceding presence of the departed souls of Archbishop Bonifatius Haushiku, Fr. Thomas Manikkam CMI, Fr. Benjamin Sheelongo and Bro Innocent Kinda OSFS would shower the blessings from the heavenly paradise.

Let me thank for the gracious presence of honorable Chief Justice Peter Shivute, Honorable John Mutorwa (Minister of Works &Transport) Hon. Bernadette Jagger (Deputy Minister Gender Equality, Poverty eradication & Social Welfare) Hon. Faustina N Caley (Deputy Minister of Education, Art and Culture), Hon. Sylvia Makgone, Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon. Elma Dienda MP, Deputy Chief Whip – official Opposition of Popular Democratic Movement, Hon. Brain Black (Councilor of Windhoek East), Mr Herman Tjitendero representative Honorable Yvonne Dauseb (Minister of Justice) and other dignitaries on the day of Silver Jubilee, who spent their energy and valuable time to make this historical event memorable.

In fine, this celebration of Silver Jubilee is to praise God for all the goodness this institution has experienced throughout these years and to recall the hard works done by all those who have been associating themselves with this institution.

May St. Charles Lwanga continue to intercede for us to witness Lord Jesus till the ends of the world that this institution establishes the Kingdom of God which we pray daily that Thy Kingdom come! Deo gratias!

Yours sincerely,

Fr. Dr. Taiju Thaliath CMI

Rector

Prefect, CMI Community, Namibia