Uganda Catholic Secretariat Uganda Catholic Secretariat Uganda Catholic Secretariat A publication of the Uganda Episcopal Conference A publication of the Uganda Episcopal Conference ISSUE 1 VOL 6 PRICE: USHS 2,000 JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2018 Pope Francis’ prayer intention for February: Say “No” to Corruption » VATICAN Page 19 ARUA DIOCESE Inside HOSTS 2018 PRAYER USCCB boosts UEC Social Communications Department with new media equipment Page 4 PEACE WEEK Hundreds of choir members begin rehearsal for 2018 Uganda Martyrs Day celebration Page 4 PRODUCTION AND SALE OF CLOTH IN ZAMBIA BEARING IMAGE OF A FAKE POPE Page 7 TRAVEL STORY MASAAI MARA Page 8 MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR LENT 2018 Page 18 Catholic faithful holding a banner during the Peace Week event at St. Mary Assumpta Parish in Moyo. PHOTO BY MAGADALENE KASUKU Story on Page 2 New Contact is a publication of the Uganda Episcopal Conference Nsambya Hill, 672 Hanlon Road,New P.O.Contact Box is2886 a publication Kampala, ofUganda, the Uganda Tel: +256-414-510570/0414-10544/ Episcopal Conference 0414-510571/0414-510398, NsambyaMobile Hill, 672 Tel: Hanlon +256-782746812, Road, P.O. Box Fax: 2886 +256 Kampala, 414 510 Uganda,545, E-mail: Tel: +256-414-510570/0414-10544/[email protected], Website: 0414-510571/0414-510398, www.uecon.org Mobile Tel: +256-782746812, Fax: +256 414 510 545, E-mail: [email protected], Website: www.uecon.org 2 JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2018 ISSUE 1 VOL 6 DIOCESAN Editorial Every year during the Season of Lent, the Holy Father gives us a message to guide us in our Lenten journey. The message for this year is titled, “Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold” (Mt. 24:12). As the Pope indicates, these words were spoken by Jesus while preaching about the end of time. He was foretelling Archbishop Odama (left) flanked by Bishop Odoki (right), gives a speech a situation when false prophets would lead people astray and cause the love in their hearts to Arua Diocese Hosts 2018 Prayer Peace Week weaken. The false prophets, the Holy By Gaetano Apamaku, Radio Pacis Father notes, are also active in were offered land in the settlement free our own time and they come Thousands of pilgrims, converged at of charge”, said Archbishop Odama. disguised in different forms. They Moyo Catholic Parish in the Diocese of The Archbishop further appreciated manipulate people and present Arua for the 13th Annual GANAL (Gulu, the South Sudanese for participating in evil as good, falsehood as truth. Arua, Nebbi and Lira) Ecclesiastical the prayer peace week urging them to This eventually destroys love and Prayer Peace Week. forgive Ugandans for any contributions leads to the rejection of God, The annual event, which was held to the war. “We owe you a debt of for- which in turn leads to emptiness from January 22-26, 2018, was cele- giveness. You need to forgive us, Ugan- and all forms of violence and brated under the theme: “Migrants and dans. We might have contributed some- destruction. Refugees; Men and Women in Search of how to your troubles. ”, he added. During this Season of Lent, Peace”. It was initiated in 2005 by the While addressing the pilgrims, Bishop the Pope invites us to look into Bishops of GANAL to provide room for Wanok of Nebbi Diocese disclosed our hearts “to see if we are fall- social interaction, prejudice reduction, Nebbi’s readiness to host the refugees, ing prey to the lies of these false healing and reconciliation amongst the should there be an over flow of refugees. prophets”. We need to be atten- communities of Northern Uganda who He said that two big places have been tive and critically understand became victims in the region following offered by the Alur community in the Dio- what is happening around us. In the past insurgencies in the region that cese waiting for refugees to be settled. social media, we have witnessed lasted for two decades. Bishop Odoki of Arua Diocese, in his the activities of the false proph- This year, the event emphasised remarks told the faithful to work for ets in the form of “fake news”, increased dialogue and solidarity peace; “to obtain peace, we need to which the Pope addresses in amongst the communities of Northern look firmly to the future with hope and his message for the World Com- Uganda, Southern Sudan and Eastern trust in God. When we lose hope, we munications Day 2018 entitled, Congo. It began with a peace march in lose everything.” He called on everyone “The truth will set you free (Jn Moyo town led by Most Rev. John Bap- to build a relationship of trust and tell 8:32): Fake news and Journal- tist Odama, the Archbishop of Gulu and stories that promote peace not hatred. ism for Peace”. Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Con- Fr. Dr. Maximiano Ngambirano, the As we renew our spiritual life ference, Rt. Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoki, Associate Professor in the Department through repentance and the the Bishop of Arua Diocese, Rt. Rev. of Good Governance at Uganda Martyrs Lenten spiritual exercises of fast- Joseph Franzelli, Bishop of Lira Dio- University who was the lead facilitator ing, prayer and almsgiving, let us cese and Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino, Bishop at the event noted that refugees and also examine ourselves to see if DDEMBE DESIGNED BY JOHN PAUL of Nebbi Diocese. Several cultural and migrants are a global reality adding “they we are victims or perpetuators of false prophecy. political leaders were also in attendance. are running away from wars and con- I wish you a spiritually enrich- In his speech, Archbishop Odama told flicts that are caused by greed for power, ing Lenten Season. the South Sudanese refugees who live greed for wealth.” He further urged the in the Northern region not to look at pilgrims to promote Peace as a positive Fr. Philip Odii themselves as foreigners. “Don’t take action. Editor/Executive Secretary of this idea of being a foreigner or refugee! Meanwhile, the community leaders in Social Communications You are not a refugee. That is why you Northern Uganda used the event to DIOCESAN JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2018 ISSUE 1 VOL 6 3 urge fellow community members to low level of women participation in whom are South Sudanese hosted in treat each other equally. The lead- political, cultural and religious orga- West Nile districts and Lamwo dis- ers highlighted the poor treatment of nizations and other activities. trict in Northern Uganda. The Dio- women in the traditional cultural set About 1.3 million refugees are cese of Lira will host the 2019 Prayer up that they say has contributed to being hosted in Uganda, majority of Peace Week Pictorial of the Prayer Peace Week in Arua Pilgrims in the procession to mark the event Bishop Odoki (centre) of Arua DIocese and Bishop Wanok (left) of Nebbi Diocese during the Eucharistic celebration. Liturgical dancers at the event Dancers perfom a cultural dance The bishops pose for a group photo with the cultural leaders Archbishop Odama planting a tree in commemoration of the event PHOTOS BY: MAGADALENE KASUKU 4 JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2018 ISSUE 1 VOL 6 UEC USCCB boosts UEC Social Communications Department with new media equipment “We are grateful to the USCCB for their continued support to our department,” said Fr. Philip. “This is in line with the Department’s Strate- gic Direction 4, namely, promoting the use of digital technology in evan- gelization and development activities of the Catholic Church in Uganda.” He described the arrival of the items as timely noting that the Department is already using the media equipment to enhance the publication of the Online Magazine (New Contact) of Uganda Episcopal Conference and to improve informa- tion sharing for effective evangeliza- tion and development in Uganda. He also said that the desktop com- The UEC Secretary General, Msgr. John Baptist Kauta (right) inspects the new media puters and laptops are being used equipment upon delivery as the Executive Secretary, Fr. Philip Odii looks on. by the department staff for their INSET: The Executive Secretary of the UEC Social Communication Department, Rev. daily office work and media activi- Fr. Philip Odii (left), and the UEC Procurement Officer inspect the photocopier ties which include writing and editing By Jacinta W. Odongo news stories/articles for the Online Media Officer, UEC still photographs, one Video Cam- Magazine. era and one Printer. Others are: one Meanwhile, this is not the first time The United States Conference Photocopier, one LCD Projector, one for the USCCB through its Pasto- of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has Power Stabilizer and three APC Bat- ral Solidarity Fund for the Church in boosted the Social Communications tery Backup and Surge Protectors, Africa to donate grants to the SCD. Department of the Uganda Episco- all aimed at improving the efficiency In 2008, the USCCB donated funds pal Conference (UEC) with a grant of the SCD. for the purchase of two computers, worth $15,000 (UGX 54.4M) for the In an interview conducted recently, a photocopier, printer and projector, purchase of new media equipment. the Executive Secretary of the UEC which have now become old and are The department received the grant Social Communications Department not functioning properly. in 2017 from USCCB’s Pastoral Sol- (SCD), Rev. Fr. Philip Odii, lauded The SCD also received another idarity Fund for the Church in Africa. the USCCB for the grant adding that grant in 2009 to facilitate a work- The new media equipment procured the equipment will strengthen the shop for Catholic Communicators includes three Desktop Comput- capacity of the department to com- in Uganda on promoting Reconcilia- ers, two Laptops, one Camera for municate effectively.