UGANDA: Catholic Lay leaders urged to combat wrong teachings in the Church
The Bishop Chairman of the Lay Apostolate Department (LAD) of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC), Rt. Rev. Paul Ssemogerere has urged Catholic Lay leaders at various levels to be conscious about the wrong teachings within the church.
addresses participants during the workshop
Bishop Ssemogerere said the only way the Faithful will remain strong in their faith is by the Lay leaders promoting true doctrines of the Church.
“We are aware that the lay faithful are not just spectators through baptism. In fact, they are in the front line of the Church as they make about 80% of the Catholic Church’s population. Therefore, it is our responsibility as lay leaders and sharers of priestly mission, to help them increasingly understand the right Church teachings and contribute to the growth in their faith,” said Bishop Ssemogerere.
The prelate was speaking at the opening ceremony of a two-day Conference on ‘Pastoral Response to Wrong Teachings and Doctrines Affecting the Faithful’ held in Kampala from May 23-35.
He added that majority of the faithful have been misguided due to the increasing digitization in the networked world where more and more communication is becoming indirect.
“People are increasingly communicating online through social media websites in order to keep stimulating different religious discussion. But, I am happy that this kind of workshop is happening because after this, we will have the authority to stand up and defend the authentic Church doctrines by informing, equipping and educating the lay faithful,” he explained.
the Lay Apostolate Department,
Fr. Fred Tusingire addresses
the participants
The two-day workshop attracted over 40 participants including Diocesan Lay leaders and Youth Representatives from the four Ecclesiastical provinces, Youth Chaplains from various universities in the country, Catholic University lecturers, leaders of the Catholic Association of Professionals in Uganda and LAD staff.
Others who were in attendance are the UEC Executive Secretaries of Doctrine Department, Education Department and Pastoral Department.
The participants were taken through various topics: The Catholic Doctrine of Creation (Firm Foundation for a Culture of Life); Evolution and the Anti-Culture of Death; Abortion and Sex Education; Cosmology and the Christian Doctrine of Creation as well as Building a Culture of life on the Foundation of God’s Plan for Creation among others.
In his address to the participants, the Executive Secretary of LAD commended the lay leaders who contribute greatly to the unity and well-being of the Universal Church by regularly informing the laity on the Church doctrines.
He also thanked the Bishop for honouring his invitation at the workshop and the participants. The two-day workshop was organized by the UEC Lay Apostolate Department.
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By Jacinta W. Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
