UGANDA: Catholic Bishops condemn the consecration of self-excommunicated priest as ‘bishop’
The Catholic Bishops in Uganda have strongly condemned the consecration of a self-excommunicated priest, Fr. Jacinto Kibuuka as the first ‘bishop’ of the Central and Eastern Province of the Evangelical Orthodox Church (EOC) in Uganda.
Fr. Kibuuka was consecrated as ‘bishop’ on Sunday November 12 by another self-made ‘bishop’ of the Evangelical Orthodox Church in-charge of Uganda and Nigeria, Tom SibayirwaKiiza at Mamre Prayer Centre in Namugongo.
Prior to his consecration, the Catholic Bishops in Uganda issued a press statement on 10th, November, 2017 to challenge the authenticity and validity of his consecration as seen from the point of view of Antiochian Orthodox Church and the 23 independent Churches within the Catholic Church led by Pope Francis.
“Indeed this question should be examined from the above two points of view since Kibuuka has at one time claimed to be part of the Antiochian Eastern Catholic Church which is in communion with Pope Francis. So far it is clear to us all that, he does not belong to the Antiochian Eastern Catholic Church (presided over by His Beatitude Moran Mor Ignatius Joseph III Jonan) since as stipulated in the 1983 Code of Canon Law, canon 112, a Roman Catholic needs the permission of the Pope to cross over to any Eastern Catholic Church, which permission he lacks.” reads a section of the statement that was signed by the Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC), Most Rev. John Baptist Odama who is also the Archbishop of Gulu.
The statement further says: “As far as the validity and authenticity of Episcopal Consecrations in the Orthodox and Catholic Churches are concerned, the apostolic lineage/succession is of paramount value. The notion of succession/lineage is not foreign even to many of our cultures in Uganda.”
The Catholic Bishops also challenged ‘Kibuuka and his group to prove with documentation from the Antiochian Orthodox Patriarch the claims that one of the EOC’s bishops was consecrated in the Apostolic lineage within the Antiochian Orthodox Church.
“The Apostolic ‘succession’ refers to the lineage from the 12 Apostles to the current bishops in the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. This lineage is very important in evaluating the validity of Episcopal Consecrations.The UEC would like to enlighten the public on the lack of apostolic succession in Evangelical Orthodox Church and challenge Kibuuka and his group to prove with documentation from the Antiochian Orthodox Patriarch the claims that one of the EOC’s bishops was consecrated in the Apostolic lineage within the Antiochian Orthodox Church,” reads part of the statement.
Regarding Kibuuka’s claims that he has joined the Antiochian Rite and is thus in communion with the Pope, the bishops noted that no one can change from one rite to the other by personal declaration unless granted permission from the Holy See (Canon 112) through the Apostolic Nunciature following prior consultations with the local bishops concerned.
They also questioned the use of liturgical vestments by Kibuuka and his group that are similar to that of the Catholic Church. “Regarding Kibuuka’s group, the similarity of its liturgy to the Roman rite is notable and wrong. No genuine Eastern Catholic Rite uses vestments of the Catholic Roman Rite. Furthermore, their way of dress and liturgy is quite different from ours. Let Kibuuka and his group stop misleading the innocent faithful with false doctrine.”
However, despite the Catholic Bishops’ statement Kibuuka’s ‘consecration’ was Roman Catholic in nature. The liturgical vestments that the priests and consecrators from his denomination wore to the style used to consecrate him and the songs used by the choir were similar to the Catholic Church. These raised many questions among the public including Catholic faithful.
(in a blue shirt) before his was excommunicated
Kibuuka, a charismatic leader and former priest who was ordained into priesthood in 2008 in the Archdiocese of Kampala, was suspended on 12th, July, 2016 from the Catholic Church by Most Rev. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese due to disobedience, including resisting a transfer to Ggoli Parish, and operating an unauthorized prayer, Mamre Prayer Centre which is outside of his jurisdiction.
Archbishop Lwanga also announced, in a five-page statement that was issued on the same date (12th, July, 2016), the banning of activities at his Mamre Prayer Centre and instructed the clergy, religious, and laity that it was forbidden to participate in any event held there. His suspension meant that all his priestly duties were withdrawn, including celebrating the sacraments and Holy Mass, preaching the word of God as well as pastoral care of the faithful. The suspension prompted Kibuuka to immediately quit the Catholic Church to join the Orthodox Church where he vowed to continue his priestly duties.
Meanwhile, on 29th, October, 2016, months after Kibuuka’s suspension, a group of rebel priests led by Kibuuka, Fr. Deogratius Sonko, Fr. Vincent Byansi and Fr. Bruno Muhindo joined two-self-made ‘bishops’ who include Dr. Tom Sibayirwa Kiiza to ordain two new priests.
The chief guest of the ‘consecration ceremony’ was the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Gen. Kahinda Otafiire who represented President Yoweri Museveni. Other guests included Uganda Minister without Portfolio, the Bishop of the Canada-based Evangelical Orthodox Church (EOC) among other religious and political leaders.
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By Jacinta W. Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
