Prime
Ntagali confesses before bishops at Namirembe
Former prime minister Amama Mbabazi (left) greets guest preacher and former Kigezi Diocese Bishop George Katwesigye (right) as Anglican Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba (2nd left) looks on during the 60th Celebration of self-governance of the Church at St Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe in Kampala yesterday. photo/DAVID LUBOWA.
What you need to know:
Ntagali also sought forgiveness from the family of the Rev Christopher Tugumehabwe and his wife Judith, the woman the former Archbishop committed adultery with
Former Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Stanley Ntagali has apologised to the Church for committing adultery.
The outpouring of remorse came during a thanksgiving service organised by the Church of Uganda to mark 60 years of self-governance at St Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe, yesterday.
Ntagali, who was invited to “greet the crowd” by Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, began by acknowledging the audience which included former prime minister Amama Mbabazi, who was the guest of honor, his wife Jacqueline Mbabazi, and members of the clergy.
“In the spirit of the East African revival, of which I am a product, I have a confession. On Christmas Eve, 1974, as a young man, I gave my life to the Lord Jesus Christ and I still love the Lord because he has loved me and I have loved to serve him over the years,” Ntagali said.
He added: “Sadly, I fell into sin of adultery. I confessed to the Lord to forgive me and I want the church to forgive me, my brother bishops, all our partners, brothers and sisters in the vineyard of the Lord, the entire Church of Uganda and all partners all over the world.”
Ntagali also sought forgiveness from the family of the Rev Christopher Tugumehabwe and his wife Judith, the woman the former Archbishop committed adultery with.
Ntagali concluded by saying: “I want to continue on that solid rock, so, my life is focused on eternity because the worldly things will end but one day, I will stand before the Lord to give accountability of what I did in this world. That is more important for me than anything else. I thank the Lord for loving me and I will continue serving Him until He calls me home. Praise the Lord.”
He received a standing ovation from the congregation with some clergy, who were seated at the pulpit, singing a hymn while others shook hands and embraced Ntagali.
Other celebrants, including the Rt Rev George Katwesigye, who served as bishop of Kigezi until 2014, Bishop Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira of Namirembe Diocese, Archbishop Kaziimba, and Mr Mbabazi took time to reflect on Church of Uganda’s 60-year journey and pledged to continue serving the Church.
Background
On January 30, Daily Monitor published a story in which the House of Bishops confirmed that the former Archbishop Ntagali had committed adultery.
The bishops condemned the act and acknowledged it (adultery) as a sin of an individual in the person of archbishop (Stanley) Ntagali.
The House of Bishops is the top governing body of the Province of the Church of Uganda and Anglicans in the country number 13 million, according to the Church.
