UGANDA: Catholic Bishops Converge for a Workshop on Inter-Religious Dialogue and Ecumenism
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| A section of Ugandan Catholic Bishops during the Workshop |
In an effort to bridge the widening gap
between faiths and cultures as extremists increasingly exploit religion for
their own purposes, the Catholic Bishops of Uganda on Tuesday converged for a
three-day workshop on inter-religious dialogue and ecumenism.
between faiths and cultures as extremists increasingly exploit religion for
their own purposes, the Catholic Bishops of Uganda on Tuesday converged for a
three-day workshop on inter-religious dialogue and ecumenism.
The workshop, which was held from March 10 to
12, 2015 at St. Augustine Institute in Nsambya, Kampala, attracted 22 bishops
from different dioceses in the country. The event was conducted under the
theme, “Interreligious dialogue and ecumenism in the context of the pastoral
ministry of the church today in Uganda,” and had an aim of helping the
bishops find ways to promote peace in the world through inter-faith dialogue as
well as come up with an action plan since religion and culture are
interconnected.
12, 2015 at St. Augustine Institute in Nsambya, Kampala, attracted 22 bishops
from different dioceses in the country. The event was conducted under the
theme, “Interreligious dialogue and ecumenism in the context of the pastoral
ministry of the church today in Uganda,” and had an aim of helping the
bishops find ways to promote peace in the world through inter-faith dialogue as
well as come up with an action plan since religion and culture are
interconnected.
Fr. Vincent Karatunga, the UEC Executive
Secretary for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism, Fr. Sylvester Arinaitwe,
the Executive Secretary of Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC), and Fr
Richard Nnyombi, a Missionary of Africa were the lead facilitators. In his
opening remarks, Fr Karatunga focused on the impact and challenges posed by
globalization in the rapidly changing pastoral landscape and suggested some
practical ways on how to respond to this pastoral reality.
Secretary for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism, Fr. Sylvester Arinaitwe,
the Executive Secretary of Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC), and Fr
Richard Nnyombi, a Missionary of Africa were the lead facilitators. In his
opening remarks, Fr Karatunga focused on the impact and challenges posed by
globalization in the rapidly changing pastoral landscape and suggested some
practical ways on how to respond to this pastoral reality.
According to Fr Karatunga, new divisions are
emerging in today’s world as economies merge, cultural boundaries disappear and
new media bring societies closer together. “And indeed, we are seeing some
troubling phenomena due to such issues. For instance, the church in Uganda
today and globally is shrinking in pastoral landscape,” he stated. He further
noted that, among other global troubles, communal strives are intensifying, extremist
ideologies are on the rise and societies are more polarized.
emerging in today’s world as economies merge, cultural boundaries disappear and
new media bring societies closer together. “And indeed, we are seeing some
troubling phenomena due to such issues. For instance, the church in Uganda
today and globally is shrinking in pastoral landscape,” he stated. He further
noted that, among other global troubles, communal strives are intensifying, extremist
ideologies are on the rise and societies are more polarized.
Fr Karatunga also explained about how the
passion and urge for market economy driven by advance in accessibility and
availability of both knowledge and information through information technology,
are visible signs of a rapidly changing pastoral landscape that dictate upon
new understanding and perception of the role of religions in social-economic
transformation of peoples’ lives in the pastoral ministry of religions and
cultures.
passion and urge for market economy driven by advance in accessibility and
availability of both knowledge and information through information technology,
are visible signs of a rapidly changing pastoral landscape that dictate upon
new understanding and perception of the role of religions in social-economic
transformation of peoples’ lives in the pastoral ministry of religions and
cultures.
He pointed out that the shrinking of
distances between and among peoples and cultures and, the disappearance of
nation-state boarders, are the critical signs of the rapidly changing pastoral
landscape that call for in-depth analysis. “They call and demand new strategies
and approach to pastoral ministries of religions. In today’s rapidly changing
pastoral landscape, what is at stake is humanity and all that affect the human
family to which all of us subscribe,” he added.
distances between and among peoples and cultures and, the disappearance of
nation-state boarders, are the critical signs of the rapidly changing pastoral
landscape that call for in-depth analysis. “They call and demand new strategies
and approach to pastoral ministries of religions. In today’s rapidly changing
pastoral landscape, what is at stake is humanity and all that affect the human
family to which all of us subscribe,” he added.
The Archbishop of Gulu and Chairman of the
UEC, Most. Rev John Baptist Odama praised the workshop for empowering the top
diocesan religious pastors. “It has opened the doors for us to know more on how
to improve our relations among the Christians through Uganda Joint Christian Council
(UJCC), our relations as Christians with the non-Christians, which is
profitable for both parties for the benefit of our faith in different groups.
We have to become friends but not see each other as enemies,” said Archbishop
Odama.
UEC, Most. Rev John Baptist Odama praised the workshop for empowering the top
diocesan religious pastors. “It has opened the doors for us to know more on how
to improve our relations among the Christians through Uganda Joint Christian Council
(UJCC), our relations as Christians with the non-Christians, which is
profitable for both parties for the benefit of our faith in different groups.
We have to become friends but not see each other as enemies,” said Archbishop
Odama.
The Archbishop further added that all efforts
must be made to enhance that kind of friendship for the benefit of
non-believers because, when Christians relate well among themselves they
promote cordial relation in the society and practice their religion in an
atmosphere of confidence, peace, unity, justice, reconciliation and prosperity.
must be made to enhance that kind of friendship for the benefit of
non-believers because, when Christians relate well among themselves they
promote cordial relation in the society and practice their religion in an
atmosphere of confidence, peace, unity, justice, reconciliation and prosperity.
He also urged other religious leaders to organize
for a similar workshop in their constituencies and afterwards converge at UJCC
and interreligious level.
for a similar workshop in their constituencies and afterwards converge at UJCC
and interreligious level.
While pointing out the way forward, the
Archbishop of Tororo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Obbo, noted that humanity is not
measured by religion but by love of the people. “In our faith we can serve any
person if we understand that we are inter-religious. We must have a free heart
to give service to everybody since we are talking about the best way to
strengthen our religion without selfishness,” Archbishop Obbo explained.
Archbishop of Tororo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Obbo, noted that humanity is not
measured by religion but by love of the people. “In our faith we can serve any
person if we understand that we are inter-religious. We must have a free heart
to give service to everybody since we are talking about the best way to
strengthen our religion without selfishness,” Archbishop Obbo explained.
By
Jacinta W Odongo, Media Officer, UEC
Jacinta W Odongo, Media Officer, UEC
