Bishops preach peace at Easter

NATIONWIDE- Bishops have condemned increasing corruption cases in the country and called for repentance during the Easter celebrations to avert the situation.

While preaching to thousands of Christians who joined their colleagues in commemorating the Way of the Cross to mark Good Friday, the religious leaders decried evil practices of land grabbing, child sacrifice and witchcraft.

In Kampala, the Church of Uganda, the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church had joint prayers at Nakivubo after morning processions. The Archbishop of Kampala, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, who led Christians from Rubaga Cathedral to Nakivubo stadium, asked the flock to use the Easter celebrations to share love with one another just as Jesus did.

In Luweero, the Anglican and Catholic Bishops asked Christians to dedicate prayers for leaders, including judges, as they exercise the authority to make decisions on contentious matters.

Bishops Paul Ssemogerere of Kasana-Luweero Diocese and Eridard Nsubuga (Anglican) said leaders and judges need prayers because they sometimes act on natural wisdom, leading to contradictions.

“We Christians have a duty to pray for our leaders, including the judges. These judges have a lot of power and hence we must not forget to dedicate them, especially the (Supreme Court) justices executing the presidential election petition.

Their final decision should bring about love and unity,” Bishop Nsubuga told Christians at St Mark Cathedral, Luweero.
Bishop Nsubuga said: “Our leaders and judges should always be fair and just in whatever they do. They should not copy the example of Pilate”

Bishop Ssemogerere said Christians have an obligation to pray for the country and engage in productive activities.
“We are not talking about the Supreme Court judges alone but all judges. We have very many cases that need fairness and justice. In our area, we have a High Court session where it was reported that 90 per cent of cases are in regard to defilement. In this case, we need justice so that our people learn to change from bad behaviour.”

In Ntungamo, Bishop Nathan Ahimbisibwe of South Ankole Anglican Diocese condemned religious and political persecutions in the country and appealed for forgiveness and tolerance during the Easter season.

“We must leave the past behind us and focus on unity and development. All the elements of persecutions must be stopped whether religious or political if we are to develop as individuals and as Christians. We have to abandon our faiths and focus on how we can live together without conflict and to achieve peace,” Bishop Ahimbisibwe said.

Rev Fr Denis Sebugwawo said the focus on unity will cause unity, peace, and joint development between the church and the government.

In Mbale, Rev Alice Wataka decried the rate at which morals are degenerating in our communities, saying it is a growing concern that has been left to go unattended to.
Bishop Patrick Gidudu asked Christians to remain prayerful even after lent season, saying it is the only way to strengthen their faith.

“We should continue being humble and tolerant even after the fasting season so as to remain focused and faithful to God,” he said.

Reported by Emmanuel Opio, Geoffrey Omara, Dan Wandera, Fred Wambede, Rebecca Kabuya, Perez Rumanzi
& Lilian Namagembe

[email protected]