CUEA: Pope Francis honors Prof. John Lukwata of CUEA and Uganda Companions with the Title “Monsignor”
By. Miriam chege
Rev. Fr. Prof. John Mary Lukwata of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) alongside his companions from Uganda have been raised to the rank of Monsignor by the Head of the Catholic Church Pope Francis.
The four priests including Fr. Alipio Kyambadde, Msgr. Dominic Ssengooba and Fr. George William Lubega from Masaka Diocese, Uganda, were given the office of domestic prelate with designation of Right Reverend Monsignor and Chaplains to His Holiness.
In the Catholic Church, the title Monsignor is given to priests in appreciation of their selfless service to the Church while Chaplain of His Holiness is a title of distinction given by the Pope in recognition of a priest’s service to the Church.
Only those priests who have reached the age of 65 years and above are considered worthy by their Diocesan Bishop as eligible for the honor of Chaplain to His Holiness with the title of Monsignor.
Chaplains of His Holiness have certain privileges with respect to ecclesiastical vestments where they dress in a black cassock with purple buttons along with a purple sash. These Priests are considered to be members of the papal household and thus, are listed in the Annuario Pontificio (the papal year book). The title is a purely honorary and has no effect on the priest’s duties or ministerial assignment. Besides, the office of domestic prelate makes priests an official member of the papal family.
The announcement of Prof. Lukwata was made by Bishop Serverus Jjumba of Masaka Diocese at the diocesan ordination ceremony that took place at Kitovu Cathedral.
Right Reverend Monsignor Prof. John Mary Lukwata
Right Reverend Monsignor Prof. John Mary Lukwata is a Roman Catholic Priest of the Diocese of Masaka, Uganda. He obtained his Masters and Ph.D. in Sacred Liturgy at the Pontifical University of St. Anselm in Rome, Italy. Monsignor John Mary Lukwata is a full-time member of the Faculty of Theology at CUEA. He is a member of the University Senate, Head of the Department of Liturgy, and the Coordinator of Interdisciplinary Theological Sessions. Monsignor is the Co-Editor for the CUEA Journal of Theology and Mediator Analyst for the ongoing Project “New Humanism at The Time of Neurosciences and Artificial Intelligence (NHNAI)”He also served as the Dean of Students, Director of the University Press, and the Director of Research. Mons. Lukwata was a member of the Strategic Planning Committee and he has participated in many of the University research projects.
Additionally, Monsignor has served in several parishes in Uganda, Kenya, Italy and USA. Before joining CUEA, Mons. Lukwata was a Lecturer in St. Thomas Aquinas & Holy Family Seminaries in Uganda. He has authored and co-authored several books and numerous articles in reputable Journals. His key areas of interest include Religion and Culture, Contemporary Forms of Worship and Communication. He is fluent in English, Italian, German and French among others.
