UGANDA: The new Bishop of Hoima Diocese Consecrated and Installed
The Diocese of Hoima heralded a new era on Sunday February 28,
2016 with the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Vincent Kirabo that was held in a
colorful celebration at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral in Hoima.
2016 with the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Vincent Kirabo that was held in a
colorful celebration at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral in Hoima.
Over 4000 faithful from the 19 dioceses across the country and
foreign countries flocked the venue to celebrate the event. It was a rare
opportunity for many to see a priest become a bishop and. By 7.00am Christians
began filling up the premises as others queued patiently to gain access to the
venue.
foreign countries flocked the venue to celebrate the event. It was a rare
opportunity for many to see a priest become a bishop and. By 7.00am Christians
began filling up the premises as others queued patiently to gain access to the
venue.
The consecration mass which was attended by His Excellency Yoweri
Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda as the Chief Guest, was
presided over by Most Rev. Paul Bakyenga, the Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese
and assisted by Rt. Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha, the Auxiliary Bishop of Mbabara
and formerly the Apostolic Administrator of Hoima Diocese.
Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda as the Chief Guest, was
presided over by Most Rev. Paul Bakyenga, the Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese
and assisted by Rt. Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha, the Auxiliary Bishop of Mbabara
and formerly the Apostolic Administrator of Hoima Diocese.
During the ceremonial rites, Archbishop Bakyenga and Bishop
Bainomugisha placed the book of the Gospel on the head of Bishop Kirabo and
recited the prayer of consecration after which he posed to him a set of
questions. Afterwards all the Bishops
present laid hands on Bishop Kirabo, a consecration rite.
Bainomugisha placed the book of the Gospel on the head of Bishop Kirabo and
recited the prayer of consecration after which he posed to him a set of
questions. Afterwards all the Bishops
present laid hands on Bishop Kirabo, a consecration rite.
In ordaining Bishop Kirabo, Archbishop Bakyenga, said: “Bishops
are called to serve and care for the flock of Christ. Remember that you are
chosen from among men and appointed to act for men and women in relation to
God. Always pray and offer sacrifice for the people committed to your care and
so draw every kind of grace for them from the overflowing holiness of Christ.”
are called to serve and care for the flock of Christ. Remember that you are
chosen from among men and appointed to act for men and women in relation to
God. Always pray and offer sacrifice for the people committed to your care and
so draw every kind of grace for them from the overflowing holiness of Christ.”
He further emphasized to him to embrace love and emulate the Holy
Father by caring for the poor, strangers and the homeless.
Father by caring for the poor, strangers and the homeless.
The Apostolic Nuncio told the faithful attended the celebration to
welcome Bishop Kirabo with
welcome Bishop Kirabo with
prayer, wise counsel and Christ-inspired action so
that his burden maybe light. “In that way he will fulfill the promise that he
makes during the Ordination Liturgy to guide the Holy people of God in the way
of salvation as a devoted father and sustain them with the help of the priests
and deacon,” he said.
The Mass was also attended by H.E Michael August Blume, the Apostolic
Nuncio to Uganda, His Eminence Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, Most Rev. John Baptist
Odama, the Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference and Archbishop of Gulu,
Most Rev. Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, Archbishop of Kampala, Most Rev. Emmanuel Obbo,
Archbishop of Tororo, 27 Bishops from Uganda and over 500 priests and
religious.
Nuncio to Uganda, His Eminence Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, Most Rev. John Baptist
Odama, the Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference and Archbishop of Gulu,
Most Rev. Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, Archbishop of Kampala, Most Rev. Emmanuel Obbo,
Archbishop of Tororo, 27 Bishops from Uganda and over 500 priests and
religious.
Religious leaders from other denominations, cultural and political
leaders were also present at the celebration.
leaders were also present at the celebration.
After his consecration, Bishop Kirabo expressed his gratitude to
the Pope, all the Bishops, the religious, political and cultural leaders as
well as the faithful for make his Episcopal Ordination a success.
the Pope, all the Bishops, the religious, political and cultural leaders as
well as the faithful for make his Episcopal Ordination a success.
“I am grateful for the gift of being among you in the Diocese of
Hoima,” he said adding that “It is a great blessing for me. Assisted with the
grace of God I am prepared to work with you and promote God’s kingdom in
Hoima.”
Hoima,” he said adding that “It is a great blessing for me. Assisted with the
grace of God I am prepared to work with you and promote God’s kingdom in
Hoima.”
Bishop Kirabo was later led around the Cathedral by Bishop
Bainomugisha to bless everyone gathered at the venue.
Bainomugisha to bless everyone gathered at the venue.
The joyful occasion ended in a grand style with President Museveni
handing over car keys of a brand new Mitsubishi-Pajero as a gift, to Bishop
Kirabo.
handing over car keys of a brand new Mitsubishi-Pajero as a gift, to Bishop
Kirabo.
Bishop Kirabo is the third Bishop in the diocese’s history and
replaces Bishop Baharagate. He was appointed in November last year by Pope
Francis, three days after his visit to Uganda. Hoima Diocese was first led by
Bishop Deogratias Muganwa Byabazaire (R.I.P), who served as bishop for 23 year
since 1991.
replaces Bishop Baharagate. He was appointed in November last year by Pope
Francis, three days after his visit to Uganda. Hoima Diocese was first led by
Bishop Deogratias Muganwa Byabazaire (R.I.P), who served as bishop for 23 year
since 1991.
By Jacinta W. Odongo, Media
Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
