UGANDA: UEC Gets a New Administration Block
The Uganda Catholic Secretariat has acquired a new
multibillion-shilling three-storied administration block that replaces the
outdated old structure, built several decades ago.
multibillion-shilling three-storied administration block that replaces the
outdated old structure, built several decades ago.
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| The Blessing of the New building |
Opening the building last Friday at Nsambya Parish, the
Papal Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Michael August Blume, urged the church
leaders and everyone that would be using it to enhance Pope Francis’ call in
the evangelization and to help the poor.
Papal Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Michael August Blume, urged the church
leaders and everyone that would be using it to enhance Pope Francis’ call in
the evangelization and to help the poor.
The building that cost over sh3.3b was named after Bishop
Henry Hanlon, who was a missionary of the Mill-Hill congregation in recognition
of the great work the prelate did in Uganda.
Henry Hanlon, who was a missionary of the Mill-Hill congregation in recognition
of the great work the prelate did in Uganda.
The structure that has a beautiful compound has a wing for
the bishops’ offices and other offices for the secretariat.
the bishops’ offices and other offices for the secretariat.
“This building is necessary, because it will also help the
Church in furtherance of the evangelization and to enhance Pope Francis’ call
to the church to help the poor, which strengthens its foundation. And as a
house built on a strong foundation lasts longer, this building should strengthen
you in the service to all God’s people,” Blume emphasized.
Church in furtherance of the evangelization and to enhance Pope Francis’ call
to the church to help the poor, which strengthens its foundation. And as a
house built on a strong foundation lasts longer, this building should strengthen
you in the service to all God’s people,” Blume emphasized.
Msgr John Baptist Kauta, the Secretary General of Uganda
Episcopal Conference, who also works at the Secretariat, said that the building
was named after Bishop Henry Hanlon in recognition of the great work he did as
an early missionary to Uganda.
Episcopal Conference, who also works at the Secretariat, said that the building
was named after Bishop Henry Hanlon in recognition of the great work he did as
an early missionary to Uganda.
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| The Nuncio Blesses the Building |
The opening ceremony was attended by Emmanuel Cardinal
Wamala, bishops including chairman of Uganda Episcopal Conference, John Baptist
Odama, John Baptist Kaggwa of Masaka, Auxiliary bishop of Kampala, Christopher
Kakooza, Joseph Anthony Zziwa of Kiyinda-Mityana, Archbishop of Tororo, Denis
Lote Kiwanuka, Retired Bishop of Nebbi diocese, Martin Luluga, Bishop of Soroti
diocese, Emmanuel Obbo, Robert Muhiirwa
of Fort-Portal.
Wamala, bishops including chairman of Uganda Episcopal Conference, John Baptist
Odama, John Baptist Kaggwa of Masaka, Auxiliary bishop of Kampala, Christopher
Kakooza, Joseph Anthony Zziwa of Kiyinda-Mityana, Archbishop of Tororo, Denis
Lote Kiwanuka, Retired Bishop of Nebbi diocese, Martin Luluga, Bishop of Soroti
diocese, Emmanuel Obbo, Robert Muhiirwa
of Fort-Portal.
Others were Paul Ssemwogerere of Kasana-Luweero, Matthias
Ssekamanya of Lugazi, Henry Apaloryamam Ssentongo of Moroto; John Baptist
Kakubi retired of Mbarara Archdiocese, Paul Kalanda former bishop of
Fort-Portal, bishop of Arua, Sabino Ocan Odoki, Callistus Rubaramira of Kabale,
Giuseppe Franzelli of Lira, and Egidio Nkaijanabwo of Kasese.
Ssekamanya of Lugazi, Henry Apaloryamam Ssentongo of Moroto; John Baptist
Kakubi retired of Mbarara Archdiocese, Paul Kalanda former bishop of
Fort-Portal, bishop of Arua, Sabino Ocan Odoki, Callistus Rubaramira of Kabale,
Giuseppe Franzelli of Lira, and Egidio Nkaijanabwo of Kasese.
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| Front View of the Building |
Msgr kauta said that Bishop Hanlon was ordained Priest on
September 21, 1889, Bishop Henry Hanlon was first sent to Northern India where
he served until 1894. He was appointed the first Vicar Apostolic of Upper Nile
District of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tororo. He was consecrated bishop
on July17, 1894 and was named Titular Archbishop of Teos diocese.
September 21, 1889, Bishop Henry Hanlon was first sent to Northern India where
he served until 1894. He was appointed the first Vicar Apostolic of Upper Nile
District of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tororo. He was consecrated bishop
on July17, 1894 and was named Titular Archbishop of Teos diocese.
“He led the first batch of four Mill Hill missionaries to
the African interior that arrived in Kampala on foot from the port of Mombasa
on September 26, 1895 and were received by Kabaka Mwanga, who offered them land
on Nsambya hill where they established their mission headquarters. The hill
accommodates St Peter Church and many schools.
the African interior that arrived in Kampala on foot from the port of Mombasa
on September 26, 1895 and were received by Kabaka Mwanga, who offered them land
on Nsambya hill where they established their mission headquarters. The hill
accommodates St Peter Church and many schools.
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| Group photo of the Nuncio, Bishops and Secretary General |
Bishop Hanlon founded new parishes at Budaka, Masaba and
Nyondo in the eastern region between 1901 and 1906. He brought to Kampala a
congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of St Joseph from Manchester in 1903. He
also established a school and a hospital for the sub-region, according to Msgr
Kauta.
Nyondo in the eastern region between 1901 and 1906. He brought to Kampala a
congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of St Joseph from Manchester in 1903. He
also established a school and a hospital for the sub-region, according to Msgr
Kauta.
Bishop Hanlon returned to England and began diocesan work at
Safford; becoming a rector at St Alban in 1915, Blackburn where he stayed until
ill-health forced him into retirement in 1934.
Safford; becoming a rector at St Alban in 1915, Blackburn where he stayed until
ill-health forced him into retirement in 1934.
Bishop Hanlon took on many episcopal
duties following the death of Auxiliary Bishop John Vaughan in 1925. He also
assisted Bishop Thomas Henshaw before he died in 1937 at the age of 75.
For more photos of the event; check our photo gallery.
Source: UEC,
Communications Department
Communications Department
