Swakopmund Deacon Gabriel Shikongo has been ordained as a Roman Catholic Church Priest by Archbishop Liborius Ndumbukuti Nashenda at the Holy Rosary Parish in Swakopmund.

Newly ordained priest Gabriel Shikongo is the second Namibian to be ordained into the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Shikongo was actively involved in youth ministry and, from a young age, aspired to be a priest.

He started out as a missionary and was deployed to Cameroon, where he learned French and studied philosophy.

He also did a stint in the DRC before returning to the Catholic University of Central Africa, where he graduated in Theology.

The Ordination event was attended by local priests, those from South Africa, and a special guest, the Superior General of Ireland.

Shikongo vowed to support people who are going through difficulties, whatever their background.

He also pledged to work with other religious leaders to help maintain peace and harmony in the community.