UGANDA: Catholic Church Seeks US $270,000 for SECAM Golden Jubilee Celebration
Rt. Rev. Joseph Zziwa, Chairman Uganda Episcopal Conference and Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana
The Catholic Church in Uganda is appealing for financial help from well wishers to assist in organizing the 18th Plenary Assembly and Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), from July 20-29, 2019.
While addressing the media on Wednesday July 3, at the Catholic Secretariat in Nsambya, Rt. Rev. Joseph Anthony Zziwa, Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) said the Church requires approximately US $270,000 (Uganda shillings one billion) to organize and prepare for the SECAM Golden Jubilee celebrations.
“I am still calling upon people of good will to come forth and contribute because at the moment we are still struggling financially. We are left with a few days yet we have not raised the amount according to our budget,” Bishop Zziwa who is also the Ordinary of Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese said during the press conference.
The funds will be used for accommodation, upkeep, food and transport of the delegates among other things in relation to the organization of the nine-day celebration.
Over 400 delegates from Africa, Madagascar, Europe, America, Asia and beyond are expected to attend the event. The delegates include cardinals, archbishops, bishops, priests, Religious men and women, representatives of various partners and selected institutions among others.
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda is expected to grace the Opening Ceremony on July 21, 2019 at Munyonyo Speke Resort Hotel at 3.00 pm, as well as the Closing Ceremony on July 28 at Namugongo Catholic Shrine.
Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) and Bishop of
Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese and Msgr. John Baptist Kauta,
the Secretary General of UEC
The general public has been invited for the Opening Mass on Sunday July 21 at Lubaga Cathedral in Kampala starting at 9 am, while the closing mass on Sunday July 28, 2019, at Namugongo Catholic Shrine at 10 am. However, from 22 to 27 July, the delegates will be at Munyonyo Speke Resort and Conference Centre for their 18th SECAM Plenary Assembly, which will be not be open to the general public.
Members of SECAM Standing Committee and Core staff are expected to arrive in the country on July 19, while the delegates will report on July 20 and depart on July 29.
The UEC in collaboration with SECAM Secretariat has formed several sub-committees to spearhead the SECAM celebrations including Protocol & Security, Liturgy, Finance, Publicity and Communication, Construction, Decoration and Sanitation, Transport and accommodation as well as Reception, Welfare and Entertainment. All these Sub-Committees are chaired by Msgr. John B. Kauta, Secretary General of the Uganda Episcopal Conference.
The nine-day celebrations will be under the theme “Church, Family of God in Africa, Celebrate your Jubilee! Proclaim, Meet and Welcome Christ your Saviour.” The main objective of the jubilee is to thank God for the gift of Baptism and of the Church in Africa, to ponder on the progress made so far with the aim of deepening the faith.
SECAM is a fruit of the efforts of African Bishops who during the second Vatican Council (1962-1965) resolved to establish a continental structure to unite the Church in Africa and promote collaboration in pastoral ministry. The Association was officially launched on July 29, 1969 at Lubaga Cathedral during the first plenary of the African bishops, and was officially closed by Pope Saint Paul VI on July 31, 1969 during his visit to Uganda.
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By Jacinta W. Odongo, Media Officer Uganda Episcopal Conference
