The head of laity for Lugazi Catholic Diocese, Augustine Kato has decried tendencies including drunkenness, land grabbing, domestic violence and other unreligious acts among Ugandans, saying that such acts have compromised believers’ martyrdom as bequeathed to us by God.
Dr. Kato said that what is more unfortunate is the fact that these days, land grabbers no longer fear and respect religious institutions to the fact that many parishes are battling such cases at different police stations and courts of law.
He was on Sunday addressing pilgrims who trekked to Bulimu village in Kyampisi sub-county, Mukono district at the birth place of St. Ponsiano Ngondwe, the Catholic martyr who was killed at Ttakajjunge-Munyonyo in Kampala Archdiocese on his way to Namugongo to join his other saint colleagues.
The head of laity advised believers to discard all tendencies that do not build their martyrdom, adding that God wants us to be martyrs in whatever we do, in our homes, among our children, in our churches and in the communities where we execute our other obligations.
Dr. Kato called on believers to beseech St. Ponsiano Ngondwe to move alongside with them as they prepare for the main pilgrimage to Namugongo next year, and to pray for us to remain attached to God in all our endeavours.
The Bishop of Lugazi Diocese, Christopher Kakooza who was the main celebrant, thanked the believers for their sacrifice to perform the pilgrimage to Bulimu, and compared them to the biblical widow who dropped two coins in the offertory basket but was appreciated by Jesus for giving all she had.
Bp. Kakooza assured them that they have started on next year’s pilgrimage to Namugongo, and noted that their gesture is a good apostolic beginning.
The Bishop pointed out that diocesan ministry is conducted in 33 parishes where there are four fully fledged hospitals, 11 minor health units, 220 primary schools, 24 secondary schools, a nurses and midwifery school at Nyenga, a technical school and a seminary also at Nyenga.
He disclosed that 2025 has been declared a holy year by the Pope Francis, saying, it is special year for appealing to God to end wars in the world, destroy all diseases, and accept peace so that development can prevail among his creations.
The Vicar General, Mgsr. Dr. Richard Kayondo urged believers to pray to God to make us pilgrims with hope.
Msgr. Kayondo announced that the diocese is organising festivities to mark Bishop Kakooza’s 25 years of episcopal service and 40 years as a priest, together with Bishop Emeritus Dr. Mathias Ssekamanya’s 40 years of episcopal service and 60 years as a priest which will also be held next year.
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