UGANDA: UEC holds thanksgiving and get-together celebration for the successful visit of Pope Francis
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| Bishop Franzelli (left) Archbishop Odama and the Prime Minister of Uganda cut the thanksgiving cake as other dignitaries look on |
Following
the successful historic visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Uganda in
November last year, the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) hosted a colorful
appreciation celebration to acknowledge the contribution made by the various
organizing committee members, government officials and sponsors towards making
the event an unprecedented success.
the successful historic visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Uganda in
November last year, the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) hosted a colorful
appreciation celebration to acknowledge the contribution made by the various
organizing committee members, government officials and sponsors towards making
the event an unprecedented success.
The
thanksgiving and get-together event, which was held on Tuesday 19th January
2016 at the Uganda Catholic Secretariat premises, attracted over 400 invited
guests who included members of various organizing committees, top government
officials and sponsors among other people. The event kicked-off at exactly 5.45pm
amid jubilant songs, traditional and folk dances upon the arrival of the Chief
Guest, Prime Minister of Uganda. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda.
thanksgiving and get-together event, which was held on Tuesday 19th January
2016 at the Uganda Catholic Secretariat premises, attracted over 400 invited
guests who included members of various organizing committees, top government
officials and sponsors among other people. The event kicked-off at exactly 5.45pm
amid jubilant songs, traditional and folk dances upon the arrival of the Chief
Guest, Prime Minister of Uganda. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda.
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| Archbishop Odama hands a gift to the Prime Minster of Uganda as Msgr Kauta looks on |
Hon.
Ruhakana was ushered in at the venue by the Chairman of the UEC and the
Archbishop of Gulu, Most Rev. John Baptist Odama, the Bishop of Lira, Rt. Rev.
Joseph Franzelli, the Bishop of Masaka, Rt. Rev. John Baptist Kaggwa, the
Secretary General of UEC, Msgr. John Baptist Kauta, Minister in Charge of
General Duties/Office of the Prime Minister. Hon. Kabwegyere Tarsis and other
government officials.
Ruhakana was ushered in at the venue by the Chairman of the UEC and the
Archbishop of Gulu, Most Rev. John Baptist Odama, the Bishop of Lira, Rt. Rev.
Joseph Franzelli, the Bishop of Masaka, Rt. Rev. John Baptist Kaggwa, the
Secretary General of UEC, Msgr. John Baptist Kauta, Minister in Charge of
General Duties/Office of the Prime Minister. Hon. Kabwegyere Tarsis and other
government officials.
Archbishop
Odama told the guests that the Holy Father wrote to him a letter expressing his
gratitude to all Ugandans for their warm welcome during his visit.
Odama told the guests that the Holy Father wrote to him a letter expressing his
gratitude to all Ugandans for their warm welcome during his visit.
“The whole
event was a success which gave the Pope a great joy. The crowd that accompanied
him was a sign that people are yearning for Christ. It would not have been
possible without the fervent hard work put in by everyone involved thus we are
gathered here to celebrate that,” said Archbishop Odama adding, “The visit left
us with a very important lesson that the Church and the state can be partners
in promoting the common good.”
event was a success which gave the Pope a great joy. The crowd that accompanied
him was a sign that people are yearning for Christ. It would not have been
possible without the fervent hard work put in by everyone involved thus we are
gathered here to celebrate that,” said Archbishop Odama adding, “The visit left
us with a very important lesson that the Church and the state can be partners
in promoting the common good.”
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| A section of the invited guests at the function |
He also
conveyed his thanks and sincere appreciation to the office of the president,
cabinet ministers, police, other religious faiths and local authorities for
providing tight security and amenities such as water in all the locations.
conveyed his thanks and sincere appreciation to the office of the president,
cabinet ministers, police, other religious faiths and local authorities for
providing tight security and amenities such as water in all the locations.
The
Archbishop told the guests that the visit made all Ugandans proud and urged
them to keep that pride all the time to maintain unity, hard work and consultation.
Archbishop told the guests that the visit made all Ugandans proud and urged
them to keep that pride all the time to maintain unity, hard work and consultation.
“The
presence of the various leaders from different political parties and religions,
the shaking of the hands of the two presidential candidates in 15 years was
proof that the visit knew no religion or political background but it was a
demonstration that Uganda only shared oneness,” he stated.
presence of the various leaders from different political parties and religions,
the shaking of the hands of the two presidential candidates in 15 years was
proof that the visit knew no religion or political background but it was a
demonstration that Uganda only shared oneness,” he stated.
Addressing
the guests, Hon. Ruhakana said that many memorable things took place in the
nation because of the Papal visit.
the guests, Hon. Ruhakana said that many memorable things took place in the
nation because of the Papal visit.
“The Holy
Father ignited national cohesion in practice. We were used to the presidential
candidates hitting at each other but it was not a common sight to see the
warmth of the handshaking at Namugongo thus we should follow the Pope’s example
of unity,” said Hon. Ruhakana adding “Unity, solidarity and ecumenism was
another example from the Holy Father. He first visited the Anglican Shrine,
prayed and meditated there. It showed that we have no choice but to follow his
example in spite of variation in religion.”
Father ignited national cohesion in practice. We were used to the presidential
candidates hitting at each other but it was not a common sight to see the
warmth of the handshaking at Namugongo thus we should follow the Pope’s example
of unity,” said Hon. Ruhakana adding “Unity, solidarity and ecumenism was
another example from the Holy Father. He first visited the Anglican Shrine,
prayed and meditated there. It showed that we have no choice but to follow his
example in spite of variation in religion.”
Archbishop
Odama later handed over a gift to the Prime Minister, other government
officials and dignitaries present. The event concluded at 10pm with the cutting
of the cake.
Odama later handed over a gift to the Prime Minister, other government
officials and dignitaries present. The event concluded at 10pm with the cutting
of the cake.
Various
dishes and refreshments were served to the guests who couldn’t hide their joy,
excitement and gratitude throughout the evening.
dishes and refreshments were served to the guests who couldn’t hide their joy,
excitement and gratitude throughout the evening.
By Jacinta W. Odongo; Media
Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
