Josephine Maseruka
and Juliet Lukwago

TODAY is Ash Wednesday, the day when Christians the world-over begin the 40 days of Lent.
Thousands of believers are expected to throng various Churches to be smeared with ash to launch the fasting and repentance season.

Bishop Matthias Ssekamanya of Lugazi Catholic diocese yesterday appealed to Christians to use the period to renew themselves spiritually.

“Let’s examine ourselves and find where we went wrong,” he said.
Ssekamanya, who is also the chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, urged the Christians to save the money that they would have spent if they were not fasting and offer it to God on Palm Sunday.
He said the offertory would be sent to Pope Benedict XVI to distribute to the most needy people.

Ssekamanya encouraged the faithful to renew their relationship with their neighbours and families.
“It is the time we must help the aged, the sick, the orphans and the displaced by donating to them,” he said.

Lent ushers in the Easter celebrations, which have this year coincided with 40 days of national prayer and fasting announced by church leaders to fight against human sacrifice.