UGANDA: 300 Pilgrims from Northern Uganda Set Off on foot for Uganda Martyrs Day
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| Rt. Rev. Joseph Franzelli, Bishop of Lira |
300
Pilgrims from Lira Diocese in Northern Uganda Monday May 18 started their pilgrimage on
foot to Namugongo Shrines, a journey of about 384 km.
Pilgrims from Lira Diocese in Northern Uganda Monday May 18 started their pilgrimage on
foot to Namugongo Shrines, a journey of about 384 km.
The
group which was flagged off by the Bishop of Lira Diocese, Rt. Rev Joseph Franzelli
at 2 am is expected to arrive to Namugongo on 1 June 2015. During the event,
Bishop Franzelli appealed to all Christians to take the opportunity of the
celebrations to renew their faith in God and desist
from perceiving their journey as a mere tour to Namugongo.
group which was flagged off by the Bishop of Lira Diocese, Rt. Rev Joseph Franzelli
at 2 am is expected to arrive to Namugongo on 1 June 2015. During the event,
Bishop Franzelli appealed to all Christians to take the opportunity of the
celebrations to renew their faith in God and desist
from perceiving their journey as a mere tour to Namugongo.
The
Diocese of Lira will lead this year’s liturgical celebration under the theme, ‘Called to be Witnesses of Christ in the
Family and in the Society’ (conf. Acts
1:5). Lira Diocese last led the celebrations at Namugongo in 1999.
Diocese of Lira will lead this year’s liturgical celebration under the theme, ‘Called to be Witnesses of Christ in the
Family and in the Society’ (conf. Acts
1:5). Lira Diocese last led the celebrations at Namugongo in 1999.
Meanwhile, eight pilgrims from Lira District, in
Northern Uganda are expected to set-off next week on Monday, May 25 by bicycle
to Namugongo, the Uganda Martyrs’ Shrine in Kampala (about 220 km) for the
celebration slated for June 3.
Northern Uganda are expected to set-off next week on Monday, May 25 by bicycle
to Namugongo, the Uganda Martyrs’ Shrine in Kampala (about 220 km) for the
celebration slated for June 3.
The
eight pilgrims, who comprise of seven men and one woman, will be flagged from
Lira town by the Bishop of Lira Diocese, Rt. Rev Joseph Franzelli. Their
anticipated date of arrival is Monday June 1.
eight pilgrims, who comprise of seven men and one woman, will be flagged from
Lira town by the Bishop of Lira Diocese, Rt. Rev Joseph Franzelli. Their
anticipated date of arrival is Monday June 1.
Chairperson of the Animation and Publicity
Committee for Lira diocese, Fr Vallente Opio said the group is set to spend ten
days on the road.
Committee for Lira diocese, Fr Vallente Opio said the group is set to spend ten
days on the road.
The 45 Uganda Martyrs were both Catholic and Protestants Christian
converts, murdered on orders of Buganda’s Kabaka Mwanga II between 1885 and
1887.
converts, murdered on orders of Buganda’s Kabaka Mwanga II between 1885 and
1887.
The celebrations are usually held
at both the Catholic and the Protestant Shrines, with the majority
of the pilgrims in attendance coming from Rwanda, Malawi, Nigeria, Kenya,
Tanzania and DR Congo, besides Uganda.
at both the Catholic and the Protestant Shrines, with the majority
of the pilgrims in attendance coming from Rwanda, Malawi, Nigeria, Kenya,
Tanzania and DR Congo, besides Uganda.
By Jacinta Wangalwa Odongo, Media Officer,
Uganda Episcopal Conference UEC
Uganda Episcopal Conference UEC
