UGANDA: Catholics don’t condone alcoholism, says Archbishop Lwanga
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| Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga |
The Catholic Church
does not condone alcoholism, although it allows its followers to take alcohol,
Kampala archbishop, Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga explains.
His call was for
followers to avoid excessive consumption of alcohol.
followers to avoid excessive consumption of alcohol.
Archbishop Lwanga was
speaking during a memorial prayer service for Fr. Jordan Brendan the former
director of Serenity Centre, a rehabilitation facility for alcohol and drug
addicts.
speaking during a memorial prayer service for Fr. Jordan Brendan the former
director of Serenity Centre, a rehabilitation facility for alcohol and drug
addicts.
Fr. Jordan Brendan, the
former director of Serenity Centre, died in May this year. A former lecturer at
Ggaba National Major Seminary, he came to Uganda in 1972 from Ireland.
former director of Serenity Centre, died in May this year. A former lecturer at
Ggaba National Major Seminary, he came to Uganda in 1972 from Ireland.
“Fr. Brendan had
planned to establish branches of the Serenity Centre in other parts of the
country, but unfortunately, he did not fulfill those plans,” Lwanga said.
planned to establish branches of the Serenity Centre in other parts of the
country, but unfortunately, he did not fulfill those plans,” Lwanga said.
The Archbishop asked
the Irish Ambassador, Anna Webstar, to convey their appreciation to the
Government of Ireland for the work Fr. Brendan did in Uganda.
the Irish Ambassador, Anna Webstar, to convey their appreciation to the
Government of Ireland for the work Fr. Brendan did in Uganda.
Serenity Centre is
located on the Kampala – Entebbe High Way, and is Uganda’s pioneer Centre for
alcoholics and substance abuse. The Centre started with concern of the
suffering priests but with time opened its doors to all people.
located on the Kampala – Entebbe High Way, and is Uganda’s pioneer Centre for
alcoholics and substance abuse. The Centre started with concern of the
suffering priests but with time opened its doors to all people.
The purpose-built
residential centre is helping address the consequences of the ever increasing
problems in Uganda as a result of the increasing trend of alcohol consumption
and substance abuse there. The centre has given treatment to over 600 patients
for alcoholism and substance abuse since 2001 and will develop on a phased basis
over the next two years, increasing its capacity from the present level of 25
clients to offer accommodation for up to 80 clients when complete in 2014.
residential centre is helping address the consequences of the ever increasing
problems in Uganda as a result of the increasing trend of alcohol consumption
and substance abuse there. The centre has given treatment to over 600 patients
for alcoholism and substance abuse since 2001 and will develop on a phased basis
over the next two years, increasing its capacity from the present level of 25
clients to offer accommodation for up to 80 clients when complete in 2014.
The project was
completed through the assistance of the Diocese of Kampala, partners and
benefactors (under the trusteeship of four religious orders in Uganda – the
Jesuits, Holy Cross Fathers, Missionaries of Africa and Mill Hill Missionaries)
and offers many services including alcohol and drug addiction treatment on a
residential and outpatient basis, detoxification facilities, counseling,
awareness, relapse prevention, recreation and research facilities.
completed through the assistance of the Diocese of Kampala, partners and
benefactors (under the trusteeship of four religious orders in Uganda – the
Jesuits, Holy Cross Fathers, Missionaries of Africa and Mill Hill Missionaries)
and offers many services including alcohol and drug addiction treatment on a
residential and outpatient basis, detoxification facilities, counseling,
awareness, relapse prevention, recreation and research facilities.
“Addiction is a major
problem in Uganda, but it is not given enough attention. More so, it still
attracts a lot of stigma in society,” Dr. David Basangwa, the centre’s senior
consultant psychiatrist, said.
problem in Uganda, but it is not given enough attention. More so, it still
attracts a lot of stigma in society,” Dr. David Basangwa, the centre’s senior
consultant psychiatrist, said.
Source:
AMECEA Social Communications and New Vision
AMECEA Social Communications and New Vision
