Catholic Church seeks Shs900m for Martyrs fete
Prayers. Pilgrims attend Mass during last year’s Martyrs Day celebrations in Namugongo. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa
What you need to know:
- Invitation. Gulu Archdiocese called on government, corporate bodies, businesses and well wishers to help in fundraising for the celebrations.
- Gulu Archdiocese last held the celebrations in 2003, a year after two of its own martyrs, Jildo Irwa and Daudi Okello, were beatified in 2002 at the Vatican by Pope John Paul II.
Kampala. The Archbishop of Gulu John Baptist Odama has appealed to Ugandans to support the organisation of this year’s Martyrs’ Day celebrations.
“We have a moderate budget of Shs900m and I urge you to join me in mobilising these funds so that together, we can organise this day. I appeal to all Catholic families, government institutions, businesses, corporate organisations and well-wishers to help us in raising this money at local and national levels,” Archbishop Odama said yesterday during a fundraising drive.
“I urge you the media to help us reach the international community to contribute to support the organisation,” he added.
The budget is up from Shs720m Tororo Archdiocese used last year to organise the event.
Out of the Shs900m, only Shs10m has been collected in cash.
Mbarara Archdiocese organised a Mass at Kitante Primary School in Kampala on Sunday and collected about Shs5m in cash and Shs24m in pledges
Archbishop Odama said they will also visit all parishes and institutions in Gulu Archdiocese to mobilise the community to participate in the preparations. He also said more events will be organised in Gulu and Kampala.
“The Pre-Namugongo Fundraising Walk has been planned for March 2019. Fundraising dinners will be held in Gulu and Kampala in March and April,” the Archbishop said.
Other avenues include appeals to various church and government institutions, business entities, corporate bodies and Ugandans in diaspora.
Gulu martyrs
Gulu Archdiocese last held the celebrations in 2003, a year after two of its own martyrs, Jildo Irwa and Daudi Okello, were beatified in 2002 at the Vatican by Pope John Paul II.
The two symbolically joined the 22 Martyrs of Uganda when their relics were brought to Namugongo after their beatification.
Archbishop Odama also urged the faithful to use the celebrations to recommit themselves to God and obey him.
“This celebration is an opportunity for the Archdiocese of Gulu as a family, together with the faithful in Uganda and the universal Church to learn from the Martyrs’ faithfulness and obedience to Jesus Christ, and to seek their intercession,” the Archbishop said.
“It is a moment of spiritual renewal as we strive to preach the gospel and fight the evils in our society today,” he added.
Bank details
Gulu Archdiocese has also opened an account at Centenary Bank, Gulu Branch to collect the funds.
Account name: Archdiocese of Gulu Namugongo Martyrs celebrations
Account number: 3100059093
