Fr Kibuuka quits Catholic Church
KAMPALA.
The controversial Catholic priest, who was earlier this week suspended from his priestly duties in the Catholic Church by Kampala Archdiocese, on Friday announced that he had quit the Roman Catholic Church for the Orthodox Church.
Fr Jacinto Kibuuka, who was ordained into priesthood in 2008, made the announcement at a press conference at his Mamre Prayer Centre in Namugongo, Wakiso District.
“Priesthood is for life and no one can take it from me. I will continue offering sacraments and taking readings. However, I will do it in accordance with the Eastern Orthodox Church (EOC) which practices the Antiochian Rite. I will pray to St Chrysostom, whose healing and deliverance prayers are more effective than Roman Catholic prayers,” he said during a press conference.
Kampala Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, who announced the suspension of Fr Kibuuka, said he would comment about Fr Kibuuka’s latest move once he got the details, as he was out of town.
“Has he been permitted into EOC? There are rules to follow. You do not just make announcements and cross over,” Archbishop Lwanga told Sunday Monitor.
At his press conference, Fr Kibuuka said the Catholic Church only allowed him to obey a superior who leads in truth and justice, and since there was no justice, he found it difficult to accept the suspension by Archbishop Lwanga, choosing to leave the Catholic Church.
EOC’s beliefs, prayers and sacraments are similar to the Roman Catholic Church. In Uganda, EOC encompasses the Coptic Church in Namungoona, Evangelical Orthodox Church in western Uganda, the Ethiopian Church, and Brazilian Catholic Church in Jinja.
Archbishop Lwanga in a July 12 notice, announced he had suspended Fr Kibuuka and also banned all activities of his Mamre Prayer Centre, instructing Catholic believers that it was forbidden to participate in any event held there.
Fr Kibuuka is accused of disobedience, including resisting a transfer to Ggoli parish. However, on Friday, Fr Kibuuka said: “I love Archbishop Lwanga, but he has been misled by self-seekers who are jealous of my success in praying for people and during the Pope’s visit,” the priest said, adding that he would have been obedient if he had been in the wrong.
Flanked by about 100 supporters, Fr Kibuuka carried documents showing police reports pinning Monsignor Expedito Magembe of Mt Sion Prayer Centre Bukalango as the architect of his woes, claiming that Msgr Magembe’s aides gave a one Winifred Nantongo Shs10m to tarnish his name in the media.
He adds that Archbishop Lwanga unfairly banished him to Ggoli Parish without punishing Msgr Magembe. The priest was given a 10-year banishment and forbidden to talk to people, or make phone calls.
Fr Kibuuka on Friday said prayers will continue at the Centre, which has a new branch on Nkrumah Road. Mamre was registered as a private company in March 2016. It is not a church. Fr Kibuuka said he will be under the authority of Bishop Girol, a Canadian. Priests joining Fr Kibuuka presented on Friday include Deacon Dr Sylvester Rwakadyeri, Fr Deogratius Ssonko, and Fr Tony Ssewanyana. He also extended an invite to Fr Anthony Musaala.
Fr Kibuuka also indicated that though he has forgiven his detractors, he will not forgive anyone who continues to libel him.
The orthodox church
The Orthodox Church claims to be the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, established by Jesus. Orthodox thinkers debate the spirituality of Roman Catholics and a few still consider them heretics.
They affirm the Trinity, the Bible, Jesus as God the Son, and believe Mary has supreme grace but reject the doctrine of Immaculate Conception.
Eastern Orthodoxy is more inclined toward mysticism whereas the Roman Catholic Church is guided more by a legal mentality.
