We are ready for the Pope, says Archbishop Odama
L-R Mr Bamwine Quirino, Msgr John Kauta, Archbishop John Baptist Odama and Mr Augustus Caesar Mulenge of King Ceasar Foundation at the catholic secretariat at the weekend. The Caesar Foundation donated over Shs50 million towards preparations for the Holy fathers’ visit. PHOTO BY Rachel Mabala
Kampala.
The chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) Archbishop John Baptist Odama has said the church is ready to host Pope Francis who is expected to arrive in the country this week.
Speaking at a press conference at the Catholic Secretariat at the weekend, Archbishop Odama, who is also the chairman of the Catholic Church’s organising committee, said the Pontiff’s visit to Uganda is one of the blessings God has given the citizens of Uganda irrespective of their religious affiliation.
“This is the Pope’s first visit to Africa and he has chosen three countries to represent his stay on the continent. In Uganda, he will have a message for the Church, for the State and possibly for the entire continent.”
The Catholic Church is playing a lead role in hosting Pope Francis, with government giving suport through a committee headed by Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda.
Pope Francis will visit Uganda from November 27 to 29, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the canonisation of the Uganda martyrs.
The martyrs were declared saints in 1965 at a ceremony held at the Vatican in Rome
With less than 10 days left to the Papal visit, Archbishop Odama appealed to Ugandans to show the country’s legendary love by joining in solidarity to give the Pope and his entourage a warm welcome.
Mr Caesar King Mulenga, of Caesar Development Kingdom, handed over Shs50m in cash to Archbishop Odama as a contribution to cover the expenses and board of the foreign bishops from Germany and Australia.
Part of the money will also fund the expenses of the organising committee of the Pope’s visit. Although they are working on a voluntary basis, UEC pledged to help sustain them.
Caesar Development Kingdom through its subsidiary, St Augustine International University, also contributed Shs190m to the construction of an ICT Centre at Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine. This year alone they have given more than 5,000 iron sheets and 10,000 bags of cement to the construction and renovation of churches in western and central Uganda.
“We support all religious institutions because they deliver messages of hope to us,” said Mulenga, adding that: “The church is a powerful shield against the evils of society and it needs to be supported.”
Archbishop Odama called on the faithful to give towards such a just cause as the Pope’s visit because “God loves a cheerful giver”.
Mr Bamwine Quilino, who represents the business community on the Uganda Episcopal Conference, thanked individual private companies and personalities who had come in to help in organising the Pope’s visit to Uganda.
