Tolerance and calls for truth dominate Easter sermons

Nationwide

Christians yesterday celebrated Easter Sunday in churches where sermons ranged from calls for tolerance to the need for positive thinking. The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Henry Luke Orombi, urged Christians to rise against fear that stops them from living in peace. Speaking at All Saints’ Cathedral in Nakasero, Archbishop Orombi said there can never be peace and harmony when Christians lack courage. “Today, you hear people saying they would rather fear a lion than a human being. When you fear your fellow human being, you are like someone staying in a cave,” he said.

Archbishop Orombi urged Ugandans to tolerate each other in the manner of Jesus Christ. “We must learn tolerance just as the risen Lord instructs us to be,” he said. “As we move towards the 2011 general elections, God is the one who will decide the destiny of our country. He will take care of Ugandans more than the politicians can do.”

Lwanga on Buganda
At Rubaga Cathedral in Kampala, Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, preached about the need for truth in Christian life. “Let’s try and answer all the unanswered political questions. I, for one, would like to start with the unanswered political question of Buganda and Uganda,” Dr Lwanga said, adding that it would help Uganda grow in unity and peace.

In a separate speech, the prelate called for a bold discussion of Buganda’s quest for federal status. There were several politicians in his audience, including Vice President Gilbert Bukenya. At Namirembe Diocese, Bishop Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira raised concern over investigations whose recommendations are never implemented. “We have had a series of wrong things this year, including the burning of the Kasubi tombs, but I hope the investigation being carried out in this matter will not be like the many investigations we know,” Bishop Luwalira said.

Case for Kasubi
The cleric’s sermon, delivered in Luganda before a packed congregation, included prayers for Buganda and Kabaka Mutebi, as well as for disaster-hit areas like Bududa. At Lubaga Miracle Centre Cathedral, Pastor Robert Kayanja urged Christians to think positively. “Christ has risen to empower us because we have the potential to turn the world round,” he said.

Makerere University Chaplain Fr. Larry Kanyike advised Christians to use this lent season to fight evil in society. “With the resurrected Christ, desist from fear, stay with hope and live in light of Christ,” Rev Kanyike told the congregation at St. Augustine Community Church. “Work together for the development of this nation irrespective of tribe, culture and religion.”

Pastor Gary Skinner of Kampala Pentecostal Church preached that Christians should aspire to live responsibly all the time. “Given that Jesus will come like a thief at night to judge the living and the dead, we all need to be ready at all times,” Pastor Skinner said.

In Mbarara and in many other parts of south-western Uganda, church attendance was undermined by heavy rains. The rains were experienced in Mbarara, Ibanda, Isingiro, Ntungamo, Bushenyi and Kabale.

While leading a mass at St. Andrews Cathedral for the Easter prayers, the bishop of Mbale Diocese, Rt. Rev. Patrick Gidudu said those involved in the 2007 Chogm summit scandals should learn from Judas Iscariot who got a bribe from the Jewish chiefs to betray Jesus Christ but later returned the money after realising he had wronged God.

“Judas Iscariot did not wait for PAC (Parliamentary Accounts Committee) to sit or even Parliament to ask but he was so good and said he needed to return the money before anybody could ask, something our ministers should have done before,” he said.

Reported by Evelyn Lirri, Ismail Musa Ladu, Martin Ssebuyira, Flavia Nalubega, Emmanuel Mulondo, Isaac Khisa, Jenina Aryampwera and David Mafabi.