UGANDA: Families in Uganda Reminded They Are a “Domestic Church”
By Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Cognizant of the closure of Churches to avoid public gatherings as a preventive measure to curb the spread of COVID-19 which is a current global challenge, Catholic Bishops of Uganda have reminded Christian families to be aware that whenever they gather as a family in their homes, that is a church.
“Whereas our physical churches are closed, our families remain open. We hope that our current challenge has given us believers the opportunity to recognize that each family is a “domestic church,” reads part of a statement issued by Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) on Saturday, March 28.
“Each family should, therefore, strive to evangelize itself and strengthen the faith of its members through daily prayers, bearing in mind that Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in their midst (Matt. 18:2),” the Bishops noted, reminding the Christians that “personal prayers and spiritual growth in every stage of Christian life is important.”
Speaking to the Catholic Christians in a statement that provides guidelines on how liturgical celebrations are to be conducted during Holy Week and Easter, while the churches are still closed, the Bishops acknowledged the disruption caused by the ban of mass gatherings including public worship but they reassure the faithful that it is not the maiden closure of churches in history.
“We are comforted by the fact that what is happening right now is not the first of its kind in human history,” said the chairman of UEC Bishop Joseph Anthony Zziwa.
“In the 14th Century, Black Death killed millions of people in Europe, and the Church was forced to take drastic measures, including restrictions on worship and movements, in order to curb further spread of the disease. Also, during the 1918 influenza pandemic, Churches were closed in many parts of Europe and America,” the Bishops explained.
“Because COVID-19 is a threat and challenge to humanity, we need to pray and work together to save human life. We therefore appeal to all people in Uganda to cooperate with the authorities to defeat the disease as soon as possible,” they add.
The Bishops further encourage the Christians to remain hopeful in prayer assuring the faithful of their prayers and appreciating the Holy Father for the special prayers and blessing for the entire world held last week.
Chairman of
Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC).
“We are grateful to the Holy Father for taking lead in praying for humanity during the special prayer event that was televised live on 27th March 2020. We thank all those who were able to join him in the said prayer,” the Bishops said.
“As we continue to pray to God to free us from this pandemic, we, your Bishops, extend to you the message of hope knowing that the Lord through his death and resurrection has conquered evil and death,” the Bishops continue, adding that the faithful should also invoke the intersession of Uganda Martyrs.
In their statement, the Bishops have adopted the Decree for Holy Week liturgies issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments on Wednesday, March 25, to be used during the period of COVID-19.
