Inside: UEC NEWS Thousands of Christians Celebrate the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Kirabo 1-2 Former Bishop of Mbarara, Rt
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NEW CONTACT February 2016 ISSUE 2 VOL 4 1 Uganda Catholic Secretariat An electronic news publication of the Uganda Episcopal Conference ISSUE 2 VOL 4 2016 FEBRUARY 2016 THOUSANDS OF CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE THE EPISCOPAL ORDINATION OF BISHOP KIRABO By Jacinta W. Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference Inside: UEC NEWS Thousands of Christians celebrate the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Kirabo 1-2 Former Bishop of Mbarara, Rt. Rev. Kakubi dies at 86 3 Pictorial: BISHOP KIRABO’S EPISCOPAL ORDINATION 4-5 Church should encourage political leaders to work together for the good of the country after election uncertainty 6 MY TRIBUTE TO MY BELOVED BISHOP VINCENT KIRABO 6 DIOCESAN NEWS Munyonyo martyrs shrine becomes parish 7 By Jacinta W. Odongo W. Jacinta By Archbishop Bakyenga lays hands on Bishop Kirabo during the Ordination Rite. (INSET) Bishop Kirabo (center) before his Kotido diocese celebrates Ordination. ordination and opening of Year of Mercy 8 THOUSANDS of Christians from the Diocese of The Archbishop also placed a skull cap INSPIRATION Hoima and other dioceses across the country commonly known as a zucchetto (purple in Wise Quotes for reflection 7,8 attended the ordination and installation of Bishop colour) and a triangular hat also referred to as Kirabo as the new Bishop of Hoima diocese. a mitre, an action which drew ululation and AMECEA NEWS ZEC hosts a meeting for the The colourful celebration, rich in symbolism applause from the Christians. He further gave Council of the laity in Eastern took place on Sunday, February 28, 2016 at Our him the bishop’s ring, a sign of his fidelity to Africa 9 Lady of Lourdes Cathedral, Bujumbura in Hoima his ministry, and then the crosier – a sign of President Salva Kiir Diocese. It was scheduled to start at 10.00 am, the pastoral office of a bishop, who is called re-appoints Machar as Vice but the Christians eager to witness this rare to watch over his flock in the diocese as their President 9 event of an ordination of a bishop began filling shepherd. FEATURE up the premises by 7am as others queued In a moving and symbolic action of ANTICIPATED EVENTS FOR patiently to access the venue. installation, Archbishop Bakyenga led the newly MARCH 2016 10 The Mass was presided over by Most Rev. ordained Bishop to occupy his chair to signify A Catholic Bishop and what he Paul Bakyenga, the Archbishop of Mbarara the point in which he officially took his seat as is identified with 11 Archdiocese, who was the principal consecrator. the Bishop of Hoima. This was followed by the VATICAN NEWS He was assisted by the Emeritus Bishop of kiss of peace by all the bishops present and the Fr. Federico Lombardi retires Hoima, Rt. Rev. Edward Baharagate and Rt. promise of obedience by the priests of Hoima as head of Vatican Radio 12 Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha, the Auxiliary Diocese and the representatives of the religious Pope reflects on Voyage to Bishop of Mbabara and formerly the Apostolic and laity in the diocese. Mexico at Sunday Angelus 12 Administrator of Hoima diocese. The Mass was also attended by H.E Michael During the Episcopal ordination rite, August Blume, the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Bakyenga, after the laying on of His Eminence Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, Most hands, placed the open Book of the Gospels Rev. John Baptist Odama, the Chairman of the upon the head of the bishop-elect and recited Uganda Episcopal Conference and Archbishop the prayer of consecration. There was great of Gulu, Most Rev. Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, jubilation when it was announced after the Archbishop of Kampala, Most Rev. Emmanuel prayer that Kirabo was now a bishop. Obbo, Archbishop of Tororo, 27 bishops from CONT’D ON PAGE 2 New Contact is an electronic news publication of Uganda Episcopal Conference Nsambya Hill, 672 Hanlon Road, P.O. Box 2886 Kampala, Uganda, Tel: +256-414-510570 Mobile Tel: +256-782746812, Fax: +256 414 510 545, E-mail: [email protected], Website: www.uecon.org 2 NEW CONTACT February 2016 ISSUE 2 VOL 4 UEC NEWS THE EDITORIAL Thousands of Christians celebrate he month Bishop Kirabo’s Episcopal Ordination of February T2016, saw FROM PAGE 1 two significant events in the Catholic Church in Uganda. On the sad note, we lost one of our bishops, Rt. Rev. John Baptist Kakubi, the Emeritus Bishop of Mbarara. Bishop Kakubi passed away on February 11, 2016 at the age of 86 and was laid to rest on February 13, 2016 in Mbarara Archdiocese. We thank God for the gift of him to our church and country, and we By Jacinta W. Odongo W. Jacinta By pray that he receives the reward of His Eminence Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala lays his The Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, H.E. Augustine eternal life. hands on Bishop Kirabo. Blume lays his hands on Bishop Kirabo. On the bright side, the Diocese of Hoima witnessed the Episcopal Uganda and over 500 priests and religious them from the overflowing holiness of ordination and installation of their men and women. Christ.” new bishop, Rt. Rev. Vincent Kirabo, Religious leaders from various He further emphasized to him to on February 28, 2016. As we denominations, cultural and political leaders embrace love and emulate the Holy Father congratulate Bishop Kirabo and the were also present at the celebration. by caring for the poor, strangers and the Christians of Hoima Diocese, we President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was the homeless. also thank God for giving us a new Chief Guest and he was accompanied by The Apostolic Nuncio told the Christians shepherd. In this edition of New Contact, Hon. Henry Kajura, the First Deputy Prime to welcome Bishop Kirabo with prayer, you will find news stories and Minister and Minister of Public Service and wise counsel and Christ-inspired action so pictures of the colourful Episcopal Hon. Matia Kasaija, Minister of Finance, that his burden may be light. “In that way ordination of Bishop Kirabo, held Planning and Economic Development. he will fulfill the promise that he makes at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral, In his speech, Bishop Kirabo, 61, during the Ordination Liturgy to guide the Bujumbura, Hoima Diocese. You expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for Holy people of God in the way of salvation will also read about the office of appointing him a bishop and thus joining as a devoted father and sustain them with a Catholic bishop and what he is the college of bishops. the help of the priests and deacons,” he identified with and much more. For any feedback, news stories, “I am humbled to have been chosen but I said. adverts or inquiries pertaining to do know that I am not going to walk alone Meanwhile, Archbishop Odama who our publication, please contact us in this journey,” Bishop Kirabo said after his also introduced all the Bishops of Uganda on +256 782 746 812 or send an consecration. “I thank all the consecrators present, asked the Christians of Hoima to email to newcontact2013@gmail. and the Emeritus Bishop of Hoima for their take Bishop Kirabo as a precious gift of com or [email protected]. exemplary life and I ask them to continue God given to them by the Pope. He urged New Contact is circulated via email praying for me. Assisted with the grace of them to hold him with care, to protect and and can also be accessed on the God I am prepared to work with you and defend him. website of UEC (www.uecon.org) promote God’s kingdom in Hoima.” Bishop Kirabo was later led around the and on Facebook. Let us keep in contact through Bishop Kirabo expressed his heartfelt Cathedral by Bishop Bainomugisha to bless New Contact. gratitude to Bishop Bainomugisha for his everyone gathered at the venue. He chose contribution to Hoima diocese during the the motto “Stay With Us Lord”. I WISH YOU A VERY ENRICHING time it did not have a substantive Bishop. The joyful occasion ended in a grand LENTEN SEASON. He also thanked the Apostolic Nuncio, style with President Museveni handing the Cardinal, Bishops, religious men and over car keys of a brand new Mitsubishi- Fr. Philip Odii women, the President, the King of Bunyoro Pajero as a gift, to Bishop Kirabo. Editor/Executive Secretary of Kingdom, Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I and Hoima Diocese was erected by Pope Paul Social Communications the Christians for coming to celebrate his Episcopal ordination. VI in his decree of 9th August 1965 Uganda Episcopal Conference and was inaugurated on 15th September In ordaining Bishop Kirabo, Archbishop 1965. The following have been its previous Bakyenga, said: “Bishops are called to serve bishops: Rt. Rev. Cyprian Kihangire(RIP), and care for the flock of Christ. Remember Rt. Rev. Albert Edward Baharagate, Rt. New Contact is an electronic news that you are chosen from among men Rev. Deogratias Byabazaire(RIP), and Rt. bulletin of Uganda Episcopal Conference and appointed to act for men and women Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha, who was Nsambya Hill, 672 Hanlon Road, in relation to God. As principal ministers the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese P.O. Box 2886 Kampala, Uganda of word and sacrament, stewards of the until the appointment of Bishop Vincent +256-414-510570 Tel: mysteries of God, they are to preside at Kirabo. Mobile Tel: +256-782746812 the Lord’s Table and to lead the offering of Fax: +256 414 510 545 prayer and praise. Always pray and offer E-mail: [email protected] sacrifice for the people committed to your Website: www.uecon.org care and so draw every kind of grace for UEC NEWS NEW CONTACT February 2016 ISSUE 2 VOL 4 3 FORMER BISHOP OF MBARARA, RT.