UGANDA: UEC Interreligious and Ecumenism Department holds Workshop to Promote Peaceful and harmonious Coexistence
As part of the plan to promote the Catholic
Church Social Teachings on peaceful coexistence in religion, cultural and political
diversity, the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC), through its Department of
Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism held a workshop on October 8, 2015 in
Jinja Diocese, Uganda.
Church Social Teachings on peaceful coexistence in religion, cultural and political
diversity, the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC), through its Department of
Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism held a workshop on October 8, 2015 in
Jinja Diocese, Uganda.
The workshop, which was conducted under the
theme: Human Nature, Unity in Diversity, Religion and Culture in Social
Development of our Mother Uganda, tackled the definition, necessity and
role of human beings in the process of peaceful and harmonious coexistence.
theme: Human Nature, Unity in Diversity, Religion and Culture in Social
Development of our Mother Uganda, tackled the definition, necessity and
role of human beings in the process of peaceful and harmonious coexistence.
“We are trying to help people understand that
God created us differently,” said the UEC Executive Secretary of the
Interreligious and Ecumenism Department, Rev. Fr. Vincent Karatunga adding,
“Being different from one another doesn’t mean we are enemies. Every person is
entitled to his or her own view and his own way of life. But, because we have
to live together there is a need to engage in dialogue to help us understand
and appreciate each other’s as well as live in peace and grow together in a
human family.”
God created us differently,” said the UEC Executive Secretary of the
Interreligious and Ecumenism Department, Rev. Fr. Vincent Karatunga adding,
“Being different from one another doesn’t mean we are enemies. Every person is
entitled to his or her own view and his own way of life. But, because we have
to live together there is a need to engage in dialogue to help us understand
and appreciate each other’s as well as live in peace and grow together in a
human family.”
The event also highlighted the importance of
tolerance and democracy as well as the negative impacts of extremism,
fundamentalism, armament and fanaticism in the global world of today where
people are interconnected to one another as a result of modern technology.
tolerance and democracy as well as the negative impacts of extremism,
fundamentalism, armament and fanaticism in the global world of today where
people are interconnected to one another as a result of modern technology.
Fr Karatunga, who was also the main
facilitator, pointed out the importance of their work in such a diverse society
where “the role of church is to reinforce the concepts of coexistence, equity,
justice and acceptance.”
facilitator, pointed out the importance of their work in such a diverse society
where “the role of church is to reinforce the concepts of coexistence, equity,
justice and acceptance.”
“We need to strive to invest in our religion-cultural
diversity in order to make Uganda a peaceful and secure country for everyone,”
he noted.
diversity in order to make Uganda a peaceful and secure country for everyone,”
he noted.
The Detective Senior Superintendent of Police
in Uganda, Mrs. Lydia Kantono, also presided as a guest speaker at the
workshop. Mrs. Kantono called on the participants to strive to be global citizens
and think beyond their personal views to be able to survive in today’s global
world.
in Uganda, Mrs. Lydia Kantono, also presided as a guest speaker at the
workshop. Mrs. Kantono called on the participants to strive to be global citizens
and think beyond their personal views to be able to survive in today’s global
world.
“Human diversity should not only be looked at
as a liberality for human growth and development but on the contrary, they are
assets in which we should all invest because through them we are all enriched
and transformed to become better persons,” she explained.
as a liberality for human growth and development but on the contrary, they are
assets in which we should all invest because through them we are all enriched
and transformed to become better persons,” she explained.
Uganda’s Assistant Commissioner of Police,
David Wasswa was also in attendance at the workshop which attracted over 200
participants from the Eastern region of Uganda.
David Wasswa was also in attendance at the workshop which attracted over 200
participants from the Eastern region of Uganda.
By Jacinta
Wangalwa Odongo; Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
Wangalwa Odongo; Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
