Catholic diocese suspends 8 over banned movement
Bishop of Kabale Diocese Callist Rubaramira at a fundraising ceremony in Kabale Town on Sunday. Photo by Robert Muhereza
Kabale- Kabale Catholic Diocese has suspended eight Christians and barred them from sacraments for being members of Marian Workers Movement, an outlawed association under the canon law of the Church.
Kabale Diocesan Bishop Callist Rubaramira and the chancellor, Rev Fr Lucian Twinamatsiko, on July 3 signed the canonical document that listed the suspended Christians.
They are Mr Vincent Byabamazima and Mr Ben Arineitwe from Kitanga Parish, Ms Rosette Kiconco, Mr Aarone Buzaare, Mr Felix Barigye and Mr Francis Byaruhanga from Christ the King Parish and Ms Credonin Tindikyeitira from Rushoroza.
“It is my duty ...to inform you that this is a canonical document with a penalty of suspension prohibiting reception of sacraments and sacramentals in the Catholic Diocese of Kabale due to your obstinately rejecting the injunctions of the competent authority not responding to my prohibitions. The Marian Workers Movement was banned in the Catholic Church in Uganda,” the letter, co-signed by Bishop Rubaramira and Fr Twinamatsiko, reads in part.
“I, therefore, forward to you this canonical suspension prohibiting you from receiving all the sacraments in the...diocese until there is proof for repentance through a written document from the offender. The penalty takes immediate effect and all parishes should announce this suspension to all the faithful of Kabale Diocese,” the letter adds.
On January 24, Bishop Rubaramira issued a written warning to the Christians and asked them to disassociate themselves from the Marian Workers Movement.
He said the diocese only recognises 17 associations which he listed.
Fr Baltzer Ndyomugabe, the Kabale Diocesan director of legion Mary, yesterday said they had already petitioned the office of Kabale Resident District Commissioner over the matter
Fr Ndyomugabe said the operations are similar to those of the leaders of the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God led by Joseph Kibwetere, a cult that operated in Kanungu District before killing more than 800 followers in March 2000.
“We have received information that the group leaders of the banned Marian Workers Movement are secretly meeting Roman Catholic Christians during night hours, convincing them to join their movement. We are scared that this group may end up being like that of Kibwetere,” he said.
Mr Byabamazima said he had not seen the letter, adding that the claims against him were false and malicious.
Mr Darius Nandinda, the RDC, said he had instructed security operatives to investigate the matter.
