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| The Late Bishop Paul Kalanda |
On August 21, thousands of Catholic faithful led by the Apostolic Nuncios to Uganda and Nigeria, His Excellency (H.E.) Michael August Blume and Augustine Kasujja, respectively, His Eminence Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala among other Bishops gathered in the Diocese of Masaka located in Central region of Uganda to pay their last respect to Bishop Paul Kalanda who passed on August 18th at his residence in Villa Maria Parish, Masaka Diocese.
Rt. Rev. Kalanda, 88 who served as a bishop in the dioceses of Moroto and Fort Portal in Uganda, was laid to rest at exactly 2.30pm.
The burial ceremony began with a Requiem Mass that was led by Cardinal Wamala, his closest childhood friend, and concelebrated by H.E Blume, H.E Kasujja, Archbishops, Bishops and over 500 priests.
Cardinal Wamala, who met Bishop Kalanda in 1934 and became close friends, described him as a consoler, adviser and a great nationalist who even participated in selflessness for this country in the 1960s.
“I am very grateful to all those who have offered me special condolences because of the connection that I had with Bishop Kalanda from 1934,” Cardinal Wamala said in his speech adding that “He was my role model, a man of prayer, a man of the people and a man of God. He loved the people he served and that is the reason why you see so many people gathered here today. Paul has gone but we ask God to reward him abundantly.”
The Bishop of Masaka, Rt. Rev John Baptist Kaggwa gave an emotional homily and called on all Christians to emulate Bishop Kalanda’s exemplary life of love, humility and prayer so as to get God’s grace and mercy at the hour of death.
Bishop Kagwa gave his gratitude to all the Christians for attending the burial ceremony to bid farewell and accompany Bishop Kalanda at his last moment.
The Vice Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference and Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese, Rt. Rev. Bishop Antony Joseph Zziwa described Bishop Kalanda in three words as a religious, civilized and educated person.
“Very few people can combine these characters. Consequently, many of us have gone through his hands and that was at Katigondo Major Seminary where he formed us to who we are today. He has been very instrumental in our conference and we pray that the great gifts that the Lord endowed in him don’t go with him but remain with us,” Bishop Zziwa stated.
The Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Blume said that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, was sad to learn about the death of Bishop Kalanda and he read messages of condolence from the Vatican.
He added, “We remember him for his special contribution in and outside his dioceses and may he now receive an eternal reward that God has for his service while on earth.”
The burial ceremony was attended by many dignitaries, State ministers and politicians including the Vice President of Uganda, His Excellency Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, the Prime Minister of the Buganda Kingdom, Charles Peter Mayiga and the former Vice President of Uganda, H. E Gilbert Bukenya among others who described the deceased as a true man of God.
Vice President Ssekandi also praised the late for his service to all in fields of education, administration among others and contributed $560 (Ushs2m) for condolence and $2799 (Ushs10m) from President Yoweri Museveni.
Bishop Kalanda was ordained a priest at 30 years of age in December 1957. He was appointed Bishop of Moroto in 1980 at 53 years of age. And served for 10 years then appointed Bishop of Fort Portal on June 17, 1991 a diocese he served until March 18, 2003. He also served as the Apostolic Administrator of Lira Diocese until 2005.
His pillar over the years lay in the Biblical verse: Joshua 1: 5; “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.”
He spoke eight languages, Luganda, Kiswahili, Runyoro-Rutooro, Nyakarimojong, Latin, English, French, and Italian.
By Jacinta W. Odongo, Media Officer Uganda Episcopal Conference, UEC.