UGANDA: Bishop Kalanda laid to rest
 |
| The Late Bishop Paul Kalanda |
On August
21, thousands of Catholic faithful led by the Apostolic Nuncios to Uganda and
Nigeria, His Excellency (H.E.) Michael August Blume and Augustine Kasujja,
respectively, His Eminence Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala among other Bishops
gathered in the Diocese of Masaka located in Central region of Uganda to pay
their last respect to Bishop Paul Kalanda who passed on August 18th at
his residence in Villa Maria Parish, Masaka Diocese.
21, thousands of Catholic faithful led by the Apostolic Nuncios to Uganda and
Nigeria, His Excellency (H.E.) Michael August Blume and Augustine Kasujja,
respectively, His Eminence Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala among other Bishops
gathered in the Diocese of Masaka located in Central region of Uganda to pay
their last respect to Bishop Paul Kalanda who passed on August 18th at
his residence in Villa Maria Parish, Masaka Diocese.
Rt. Rev.
Kalanda, 88 who served as a bishop in the dioceses of Moroto and Fort Portal in
Uganda, was laid to rest at exactly 2.30pm.
Kalanda, 88 who served as a bishop in the dioceses of Moroto and Fort Portal in
Uganda, was laid to rest at exactly 2.30pm.
The burial
ceremony began with a Requiem Mass that was led by Cardinal Wamala, his closest
childhood friend, and concelebrated by H.E Blume, H.E Kasujja, Archbishops,
Bishops and over 500 priests.
ceremony began with a Requiem Mass that was led by Cardinal Wamala, his closest
childhood friend, and concelebrated by H.E Blume, H.E Kasujja, Archbishops,
Bishops and over 500 priests.
Cardinal
Wamala, who met Bishop Kalanda in 1934 and became close friends, described him
as a consoler, adviser and a great nationalist who even participated in selflessness
for this country in the 1960s.
Wamala, who met Bishop Kalanda in 1934 and became close friends, described him
as a consoler, adviser and a great nationalist who even participated in selflessness
for this country in the 1960s.
“I am very
grateful to all those who have offered me special condolences because of the
connection that I had with Bishop Kalanda from 1934,” Cardinal Wamala said in
his speech adding that “He was my role model, a man of prayer, a man of the
people and a man of God. He loved the people he served and that is the reason
why you see so many people gathered here today. Paul has gone but we ask God to
reward him abundantly.”
grateful to all those who have offered me special condolences because of the
connection that I had with Bishop Kalanda from 1934,” Cardinal Wamala said in
his speech adding that “He was my role model, a man of prayer, a man of the
people and a man of God. He loved the people he served and that is the reason
why you see so many people gathered here today. Paul has gone but we ask God to
reward him abundantly.”
The Bishop
of Masaka, Rt. Rev John Baptist Kaggwa gave an emotional homily and called on
all Christians to emulate Bishop Kalanda’s exemplary life of love, humility and
prayer so as to get God’s grace and mercy at the hour of death.
of Masaka, Rt. Rev John Baptist Kaggwa gave an emotional homily and called on
all Christians to emulate Bishop Kalanda’s exemplary life of love, humility and
prayer so as to get God’s grace and mercy at the hour of death.
Bishop Kagwa
gave his gratitude to all the Christians for attending the burial ceremony to
bid farewell and accompany Bishop Kalanda at his last moment.
gave his gratitude to all the Christians for attending the burial ceremony to
bid farewell and accompany Bishop Kalanda at his last moment.
The Vice
Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference and Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana
Diocese, Rt. Rev. Bishop Antony Joseph Zziwa described Bishop Kalanda in three
words as a religious, civilized and educated person.
Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference and Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana
Diocese, Rt. Rev. Bishop Antony Joseph Zziwa described Bishop Kalanda in three
words as a religious, civilized and educated person.
“Very few
people can combine these characters. Consequently, many of us have gone through
his hands and that was at Katigondo Major Seminary where he formed us to who we
are today. He has been very instrumental in our conference and we pray that the
great gifts that the Lord endowed in him don’t go with him but remain with us,”
Bishop Zziwa stated.
people can combine these characters. Consequently, many of us have gone through
his hands and that was at Katigondo Major Seminary where he formed us to who we
are today. He has been very instrumental in our conference and we pray that the
great gifts that the Lord endowed in him don’t go with him but remain with us,”
Bishop Zziwa stated.
The Apostolic
Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Blume said that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, was
sad to learn about the death of Bishop Kalanda and he read messages of
condolence from the Vatican.
Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Blume said that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, was
sad to learn about the death of Bishop Kalanda and he read messages of
condolence from the Vatican.
He added,
“We remember him for his special contribution in and outside his dioceses and
may he now receive an eternal reward that God has for his service while on
earth.”
“We remember him for his special contribution in and outside his dioceses and
may he now receive an eternal reward that God has for his service while on
earth.”
The burial
ceremony was attended by many dignitaries, State ministers and politicians
including the Vice President of Uganda, His Excellency Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi,
the Prime Minister of the Buganda Kingdom, Charles Peter Mayiga and the former
Vice President of Uganda, H. E Gilbert Bukenya among others who described the
deceased as a true man of God.
ceremony was attended by many dignitaries, State ministers and politicians
including the Vice President of Uganda, His Excellency Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi,
the Prime Minister of the Buganda Kingdom, Charles Peter Mayiga and the former
Vice President of Uganda, H. E Gilbert Bukenya among others who described the
deceased as a true man of God.
Vice
President Ssekandi also praised the late for his service to all in fields of
education, administration among others and contributed $560 (Ushs2m) for
condolence and $2799 (Ushs10m) from President Yoweri Museveni.
President Ssekandi also praised the late for his service to all in fields of
education, administration among others and contributed $560 (Ushs2m) for
condolence and $2799 (Ushs10m) from President Yoweri Museveni.
Bishop
Kalanda was ordained a priest at 30 years of age in December 1957. He was
appointed Bishop of Moroto in 1980 at 53 years of age. And served for 10 years
then appointed Bishop of Fort Portal on June 17, 1991 a diocese he served until
March 18, 2003. He also served as the Apostolic Administrator of Lira Diocese
until 2005.
Kalanda was ordained a priest at 30 years of age in December 1957. He was
appointed Bishop of Moroto in 1980 at 53 years of age. And served for 10 years
then appointed Bishop of Fort Portal on June 17, 1991 a diocese he served until
March 18, 2003. He also served as the Apostolic Administrator of Lira Diocese
until 2005.
His pillar
over the years lay in the Biblical verse: Joshua 1: 5; “No man shall be able to
stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be
with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.”
over the years lay in the Biblical verse: Joshua 1: 5; “No man shall be able to
stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be
with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.”
He spoke
eight languages, Luganda, Kiswahili, Runyoro-Rutooro, Nyakarimojong, Latin,
English, French, and Italian.
eight languages, Luganda, Kiswahili, Runyoro-Rutooro, Nyakarimojong, Latin,
English, French, and Italian.
By Jacinta W. Odongo, Media
Officer Uganda Episcopal Conference, UEC.
Officer Uganda Episcopal Conference, UEC.
