UGANDA: Bishops call on Christians to undertake Spiritual Renewal ahead of Pope Francis’ visit
The Uganda
Episcopal Conference (UEC) has issued a Pastoral Message on the occasion of His
Holiness Pope Francis’ visit to Uganda slated for November 27 to 29, 2015.
Episcopal Conference (UEC) has issued a Pastoral Message on the occasion of His
Holiness Pope Francis’ visit to Uganda slated for November 27 to 29, 2015.
The Pastoral
Message, which was released on October 8, calls on all Ugandans to undertake
appropriate spiritual preparation so as to be in a fitting state to receive the
Pope’s blessings.
Message, which was released on October 8, calls on all Ugandans to undertake
appropriate spiritual preparation so as to be in a fitting state to receive the
Pope’s blessings.
“The Pope’s
visit and presence during the celebrations requires us to prepare in a special
way. The nature of this visit is primarily pastoral and spiritual. Coming to us
Pope Francis is carrying out the mission entrusted to Peter by Jesus,”
explained the Pastoral Message which was signed by the UEC Chairman and
Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese, Most Rev John Baptist Odama.
visit and presence during the celebrations requires us to prepare in a special
way. The nature of this visit is primarily pastoral and spiritual. Coming to us
Pope Francis is carrying out the mission entrusted to Peter by Jesus,”
explained the Pastoral Message which was signed by the UEC Chairman and
Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese, Most Rev John Baptist Odama.
The Message
further read, “As a common gesture which will unite us all in prayer, we ask
that before the final blessing of every Mass, as well as in our daily personal,
family or community prayer, we recite one ‘Our Father, ‘Hail Mary’ and ‘Glory
be to the Father’ for the intentions of the Pope and the success of his visit,”
further read, “As a common gesture which will unite us all in prayer, we ask
that before the final blessing of every Mass, as well as in our daily personal,
family or community prayer, we recite one ‘Our Father, ‘Hail Mary’ and ‘Glory
be to the Father’ for the intentions of the Pope and the success of his visit,”
The Bishops
also urged all Ugandans to perform acts of charity towards the poor and to
practice works of penance so as to receive the Papal blessing in a worthy
manner. “Most importantly, let us make every effort to reconcile and love one
another as Christ has loved us,” the statement read in part.
also urged all Ugandans to perform acts of charity towards the poor and to
practice works of penance so as to receive the Papal blessing in a worthy
manner. “Most importantly, let us make every effort to reconcile and love one
another as Christ has loved us,” the statement read in part.
According to
the Bishops the Pontiff’s visit also provides yet another golden opportunity
for Ugandans to be instruments of unity, peace and reconciliation in the family
and among the various religious, cultural and political groups.
the Bishops the Pontiff’s visit also provides yet another golden opportunity
for Ugandans to be instruments of unity, peace and reconciliation in the family
and among the various religious, cultural and political groups.
“In a
country like ours where unity and national consensus has eluded us for decades,
the Pope comes as a bridge builder. This demands of us to imitate Christ who
came to serve rather than to be served, it invites us to be servants to one
another,” the statement read.
country like ours where unity and national consensus has eluded us for decades,
the Pope comes as a bridge builder. This demands of us to imitate Christ who
came to serve rather than to be served, it invites us to be servants to one
another,” the statement read.
Meanwhile,
the Bishops have pointed out a number of challenges that need to be given
particular attention. They noted, “We draw to your attention the alarming gap
and contradictions between the faith we profess and the life we live, between
the gospel and some traditional African practices such as polygamy,
cohabitation, trial marriage, witchcraft and human sacrifice. The family is
also affected by infidelity, denial of mutual love, child abuse and domestic
violence among other things.”
the Bishops have pointed out a number of challenges that need to be given
particular attention. They noted, “We draw to your attention the alarming gap
and contradictions between the faith we profess and the life we live, between
the gospel and some traditional African practices such as polygamy,
cohabitation, trial marriage, witchcraft and human sacrifice. The family is
also affected by infidelity, denial of mutual love, child abuse and domestic
violence among other things.”
Pope Francis
will be the third Supreme Pontiff to visit Uganda after Pope Paul VI in 1969
and Pope John Paul II who made a trip in the country for one week in 1993.
will be the third Supreme Pontiff to visit Uganda after Pope Paul VI in 1969
and Pope John Paul II who made a trip in the country for one week in 1993.
By Jacinta W. Odongo; Media Officer, Uganda
Episcopal Conference
Episcopal Conference
