Clerics read from different scripts on condolence fee

Kampala. Namirembe Diocese’s decision to retain 25 per cent of the condolence money collections at funeral service has attracted different reactions with the diocese maintaining its position.
The Rev Can Nelson Kaweesa, the Namirembe diocesan secretary, explained that the contribution is only deducted on money collected freely from the people to support expences incurred during the service.
“You can bury for yourself if you can. If there is no collection, nothing will happen because it is free giving but if you give, you leave some at the church. Each diocese has its own way of doing things. If they (people) fear coming to bring their bodies to the church, it will bring less work on us and we will have a breathing space,” Rev Kaweesa said yesterday.
However, Fr Phillip Odii, the spokesperson of the Catholic Church (shared his experience not on behalf of the church), explained that their collections are specific with offertory money compulsory at every mass and this goes to the church.
“In my diocese in Tororo, condolence money goes to help the family. For the Catholic Church, we have not had issues. When it comes up we shall debate it. We don’t have a policy for now. I have worked in many parishes, condolence money goes to the bereaved family and offertory goes to church. It is clear when you have a mass, you must have offertory to support the work of church whether it is at a funeral, baptism, wedding or confirmation,” Fr Odii said.
The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) yesterday said they are less concerned about the money collected but only focus on prayer for the deceased.
“The Imam does not charge or collet money when a person dies. We do not even ask how much has been collected. It is free to pray for the deceased whether at home or mosque. The mabugo is given to the family. We do not have any demand of accountability on that money because we do not count it, we do not want to know,” Mr Nsereko Mutumba, the UMSC spokesperson, noted.

Autonomy
Ankole Bishop, the Rt Rev Dr Sheldon Mwesigwa, however, said because dioceses have their autonomy, each has their way of handling issues. For instance, he said his diocese this year removed fees for confirmation and saw the numbers triple from the previous years.

He added that as a practice in many dioceses, money collected during a funeral service has been handed over to the bereaved family.

“That is a diocesan matter. There is autonomy in the way they handle issues. We have a provincial meeting. We shall listen to their story and see what they are saying. Things change over time. As of now, when any collection is done in many dioceses, it’s given to the family. Families are normally helped. It is expected,” Bishop Mwesigwa said.

He added: “In our diocese, we normally charge for confirmation, baptism and wedding. We decided to remove the confirmation fees this year and the numbers have tripled.

“Sometimes, we need to think through things. Church is dynamic. You might think Namirembe is different. It might have many expences and to maintain a cathedral the way it looks like is expensive.”

Rev Can William Ongeng, the Church of Uganda provincial secretary, said he was not aware of Namirembe Diocese’s decision.
“I don’t have information to that effect,” Rev Ongeng said.

BACKGROUND
Namirembe Diocese under the Anglican Church of Uganda recently issued new guidelines to direct the collection and distribution of condolence money collected during funeral services. The Diocesan Council made the decision at its May 24 sitting directing that the said money shall be collected before the funeral service starts.

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