UGANDA: Christians urged to perform acts of charity and do penance for a successful Papal visit
With just a
few weeks to go for the arrival of His Holiness Pope Francis in Uganda, the
Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) held its first Press Conference on the Papal
visit on October 19, 2015 calling upon all the Christians to do penance and
undertake acts of charity for the poor so as to receive the papal blessing in a
worthy manner.
few weeks to go for the arrival of His Holiness Pope Francis in Uganda, the
Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) held its first Press Conference on the Papal
visit on October 19, 2015 calling upon all the Christians to do penance and
undertake acts of charity for the poor so as to receive the papal blessing in a
worthy manner.
The Holy
Father, who will fly in from Kenya, is expected to arrive at Entebbe
International Airport at exactly 4.50pm on November 27 and visit various places
in Kampala for an Apostolic Mission before his departure to the Central African
Republic on November 29.
Father, who will fly in from Kenya, is expected to arrive at Entebbe
International Airport at exactly 4.50pm on November 27 and visit various places
in Kampala for an Apostolic Mission before his departure to the Central African
Republic on November 29.
“Pope
Francis will be the third Supreme Pontiff to visit us, no other country in
Africa has had such a privilege,” said Most Rev. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, the
Archbishop of Kampala and Spokesperson of UEC adding. “His visit is primarily
pastoral and spiritual.”
Francis will be the third Supreme Pontiff to visit us, no other country in
Africa has had such a privilege,” said Most Rev. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, the
Archbishop of Kampala and Spokesperson of UEC adding. “His visit is primarily
pastoral and spiritual.”
While
addressing members of the press, Archbishop Lwanga reiterated several key
points that were published earlier this month in a Pastoral message by the
Catholic bishops of Uganda. He further said the Pope’s visit and presence
during the celebrations requires everyone to prepare in a special way in order
to worthily receive his blessings.
addressing members of the press, Archbishop Lwanga reiterated several key
points that were published earlier this month in a Pastoral message by the
Catholic bishops of Uganda. He further said the Pope’s visit and presence
during the celebrations requires everyone to prepare in a special way in order
to worthily receive his blessings.
“We
encourage all Catholics to do acts of charity towards the poor, practice works
of penance, seek reconciliation and love one another as Christ has loved us.
Christians should also avoid and fight vices such as polygamy, adultery and
drug abuse among others and care for the environment in line with the
aspirations of the Pope contained in his encyclical (Laudato Si),” he
explained.
encourage all Catholics to do acts of charity towards the poor, practice works
of penance, seek reconciliation and love one another as Christ has loved us.
Christians should also avoid and fight vices such as polygamy, adultery and
drug abuse among others and care for the environment in line with the
aspirations of the Pope contained in his encyclical (Laudato Si),” he
explained.
As a gesture
to unite the faithful in prayer, the bishops also asked that before the final
blessings at every Mass, as well as in personal, family or community prayer,
people recite one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be for the intention of the
Pope and the success of his visit.
to unite the faithful in prayer, the bishops also asked that before the final
blessings at every Mass, as well as in personal, family or community prayer,
people recite one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be for the intention of the
Pope and the success of his visit.
Meanwhile,
the Apostolic Nuncio in Uganda, His Excellency Michael August Blume, said the
Pope’s visit to Africa was as a result of a process that started at The Second
Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of bishops in October 2009.
the Apostolic Nuncio in Uganda, His Excellency Michael August Blume, said the
Pope’s visit to Africa was as a result of a process that started at The Second
Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of bishops in October 2009.
“A document
titled, The Church in Africa in service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace was
produced at that Assembly. In his visits to Africa, the Holy Father will emphasize
and put into practice his own, and the Vatican’s diplomacy of making peace,”
the Apostolic Nuncio stated.
titled, The Church in Africa in service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace was
produced at that Assembly. In his visits to Africa, the Holy Father will emphasize
and put into practice his own, and the Vatican’s diplomacy of making peace,”
the Apostolic Nuncio stated.
Pope
Francis’s visit in the three countries will be held under the theme, “You
will be my witnesses.” While in Uganda he will pay a courtesy visit to
State House in Entebbe for a meeting with the Ugandan President, H.E. Yoweri
Museveni before proceeding to Munyonyo Catholic Shrine where he will meet the
Catechists and the teachers.
Francis’s visit in the three countries will be held under the theme, “You
will be my witnesses.” While in Uganda he will pay a courtesy visit to
State House in Entebbe for a meeting with the Ugandan President, H.E. Yoweri
Museveni before proceeding to Munyonyo Catholic Shrine where he will meet the
Catechists and the teachers.
He will also
visit the Anglican and Catholic Shrines to celebrate the 50th anniversary
of the canonization of the Uganda Martyrs, who were burned to death for their
faith between 1885 and 1887. The Pope is scheduled to also have a meeting with
the youths, the elderly, poor and vulnerable at other places.
visit the Anglican and Catholic Shrines to celebrate the 50th anniversary
of the canonization of the Uganda Martyrs, who were burned to death for their
faith between 1885 and 1887. The Pope is scheduled to also have a meeting with
the youths, the elderly, poor and vulnerable at other places.
By Jacinta W. Odongo, Media
Officer Uganda Episcopal Conference
Officer Uganda Episcopal Conference
