UGANDA: Hard Economic Situation Not an Excuse to Acts of Charity During Lent, Says Bishop Kibira
Bishop Kibira Giving Ash to Lt Joe Walusimbi the Kasese Resident District Commissioner
Masereka Peter
Bishop of the Catholic Kasese Diocese in Uganda, Rt. Rev. Francis Aquirinus Kibira has asked Christians to use the season to strengthen their hand for alms giving, prayer and fasting so as to celebrate worthily the feast of Easter, saying that the hard economic world situation should not be an excuse against helping the people in need.
In his homily while presiding over the first Mass of the Lent season at our Lady of Assumption Cathedral in Kasese on Ash Wednesday, Bishop Kibira asked Christians to use the season to strengthen their hand for alms, prayer and fasting so as to celebrate worthily the feast of Easter.
Bishop Kibira who asked Christians to promote without hesitation alms to God’s people in need, said prayer strengthens communication and fasting purifies a believer before Christ.
He later reminded Christians of their weak humanity like the ashes but that the power of God makes them stronger against the waves and works of Satan.
The Bishop later re-echoed the Holy See’s message for a Synodal Church that asks the Catholic Church to be more accommodative to all God’s people, before asking Christians to love one another as emphasized by Christ.
In a separate interview after Holy Mass, Hon. Centenary, the former Member of Parliament for Kasese Municipality said other than prayer, fasting and alms giving during this lent season, the Kasese people ought to use the period to promote reconciliation, peace, love and forgiveness against lies he called misguiding.
He also asked married couples, parents and guardians to use the Lenten season to fill the gaps in their roles.
Meanwhile at St. John Kisanga Roman Catholic Church, the Diocesan Communication Coordinator Rev. Fr. Augustine Sunday Masereka asked Believers in Christ to fast food alongside denouncing sin if they were to worthily celebrate the importance of the Lenten season.
Rev. Fr. Sunday Augustine Masereka said fasting particular food was irrelevant during the Lent season should Christians fail to attach it to denouncing sin.
Fr. Augustine who is also the Director for Kasese Guide Radio asked Christians to make value of the Lenten season praying, giving alms and fasting against sin as means to worthily prepare for the resurrection of the Lord.
He asked Christians to Emulate Jesus Christ whose fasting wasn’t for his personal benefit but sacrifice to help the needy world out of sin.
The 75-year-old Ms Yozofina Muhindo and Ms Dorika Kahene attached Ash Wednesday to the creation and death methodology of man by God that among others requires Christians to help those in need.
Hon. Jolly Biira, the female councilor representing Nyakasanga two Ward asked Christians to use the season to preach forgiveness and reconciliation among family and local community members.
