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| Uganda Martyrs Shrine at Namugongo |
The Holy Father has been officially invited by the Catholic Bishops of Uganda through a letter written by the president of the conference, Archbishop John Baptist Odama, Archbishop of Gulu. The letter was delivered to the Holy Father on 21stSeptember 2013 by His Grace Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga Archbishop of Kampala. According to Archbishop Lwanga, the Pope promised to look at his schedule and respond accordingly.
However, speaking to AMECEA Online News on phone from Kampala, the Secretary General to the Bishops’ Conference Msgr. John Baptist Kauta expressed caution saying, “The Holy Father has not yet confirmed whether or not he will come. Secondly the Ugandan Government has not given the Conference permission to have the Holy Father come; though we have written to the government and are still awaiting response; the president of Uganda has neither said yes or no. The issue is very sensitive because protocol must be observed."
Msgr. Kauta clarified that the Archdiocese of Kampala which launched its preparations to mark 50 years since Pope Paul VI canonized the 22 Catholic Uganda Martyrs did so on account that the place of Uganda Martyrs (Namugongo) is under Kampala Archdiocese. “As a conference, we are yet to engage in preparatory activities to celebrate the 50 years of canonization although the conference is ready for the usual celebrations on 3rd June, which is the Uganda Martyrs Day,” Msgr. Kauta said.
“Should the Holy Father honor the invitation and come for the Jubilee celebration, it will be a great honor to our country, it will enhance the faith of our Christians, the Martyrs will be known more and our country Uganda will be honored. However let us all wait for the Holy Father to speak,” Msgr. Kauta said adding that it is important that we all be patient and hold on until the Holy Father confirms whether he will be coming or not.
The martyrs were declared saints at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on October 18, 1964, which was also Mission Sunday.
The preparation’s launch by the Archdiocese of Kampala was preceded by a two day congress held at the Sacred Heart of Mary Cathedral, Lubaga, with the theme, “You will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8).
Referring to the Book of Leviticus chapter 25, the Archbishop explained the origin and purpose of jubilee celebrations. When God created the universe, He rested on the seventh day. Hence, the seventh day for the Jews became the Sabbath, a day of rest and prayer. The people of Israel celebrated the seventh year as a Sabbath year dedicated to the Lord. After seven Sabbath years- seven times seven years which is forty nine years, a trumpet/horn was sounded throughout the land to announce the Year of Jubilee, the fiftieth year.
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| Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga |
Kampala Archbishop, Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, launched the preparations when he lit a torch and then blew a traditional Kiganda horn (Kkondeere) to declare the start of the activities that are scheduled to conclude on October 18, 2014, which will be the climax of the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Canonization of the Uganda Martyrs.
Source: AMECEA Social Communications and UEC