UGANDA: Pope Francis Appoints New Bishop for Hoima Diocese
 |
| Rev. Fr. Vincent Kirabo |
Barely
a day after His Holiness Pope Francis concluded his apostolic journey to Uganda;
the Apostolic Nunciature, on Monday December 1, 2015, announced that the Holy
Father had appointed Rev. Fr. Vincent Kirabo as the new Bishop of Hoima
Diocese.
a day after His Holiness Pope Francis concluded his apostolic journey to Uganda;
the Apostolic Nunciature, on Monday December 1, 2015, announced that the Holy
Father had appointed Rev. Fr. Vincent Kirabo as the new Bishop of Hoima
Diocese.
The
announcement was made by the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, His Excellency Michael
August Blume, in a press statement that was delivered by the Secretary General
of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, Msgr John Baptist Kauta through one of the
Catholic Radios.
announcement was made by the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, His Excellency Michael
August Blume, in a press statement that was delivered by the Secretary General
of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, Msgr John Baptist Kauta through one of the
Catholic Radios.
Archbishop
Blume also urged all Christians to join in fervent prayer for Bishop-elect
Kirabo. “Prayers will help him to be guided and strengthened by the wisdom and
courage of the Holy Spirit, to discharge with fidelity and joy his new mission,”
he said.
Blume also urged all Christians to join in fervent prayer for Bishop-elect
Kirabo. “Prayers will help him to be guided and strengthened by the wisdom and
courage of the Holy Spirit, to discharge with fidelity and joy his new mission,”
he said.
Bishop-elect
Kirabo replaces Rt Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha, 54, who has been serving as the
Apostolic Administrator of Hoima since 2009. Bishop Bainomugisha is also the
Auxiliary Bishop of Mbarara, a position he attained in 2005 after he was
appointed by Pope Benedict XVI.
Kirabo replaces Rt Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha, 54, who has been serving as the
Apostolic Administrator of Hoima since 2009. Bishop Bainomugisha is also the
Auxiliary Bishop of Mbarara, a position he attained in 2005 after he was
appointed by Pope Benedict XVI.
Born
on October 1, 1955, Fr Kirabo attended Kahunde Primary School and St. John
Bosco Minor Seminary both in Hoima District. He began his philosophical studies
at the Uganda Martyrs’ National Major Seminary in Gulu District (located in the
northern region of Uganda), after completing theological studies at St. Mary’s
National Seminary Ggaba.
on October 1, 1955, Fr Kirabo attended Kahunde Primary School and St. John
Bosco Minor Seminary both in Hoima District. He began his philosophical studies
at the Uganda Martyrs’ National Major Seminary in Gulu District (located in the
northern region of Uganda), after completing theological studies at St. Mary’s
National Seminary Ggaba.
He was
ordained a priest in 1979 and has served various positions which include a
teacher and Rector at St. John Bosco Minor Seminary, Director of the Diocesan
Commission for Vocations, Diocesan Financial Administrator and Vicar among
others. He has been a professor at St. Mary’s National Seminary Ggaba from
2012.
ordained a priest in 1979 and has served various positions which include a
teacher and Rector at St. John Bosco Minor Seminary, Director of the Diocesan
Commission for Vocations, Diocesan Financial Administrator and Vicar among
others. He has been a professor at St. Mary’s National Seminary Ggaba from
2012.
He
holds a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Portland, USA
(1990) and Licentiate in Biblical Theology from Urban University in Rome
(2007).
holds a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Portland, USA
(1990) and Licentiate in Biblical Theology from Urban University in Rome
(2007).
Former
Bishops that served Hoima Diocese include Bishop Cypriano Kihangire
(1965-1968), Bishop Albert Edward Baharagate (1969-1991) and the late Bishop
Deogratias Muganwa Byabazaire (1991-2014) before Bishop Bainomugisha.
Bishops that served Hoima Diocese include Bishop Cypriano Kihangire
(1965-1968), Bishop Albert Edward Baharagate (1969-1991) and the late Bishop
Deogratias Muganwa Byabazaire (1991-2014) before Bishop Bainomugisha.
By Jacinta Wangalwa Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal
Conference
Conference
