Popularize Pope's name, says Bishop Kakooza

By Juliet Lukwago      

The auxiliary bishop of Kampala Archdiocese Christopher Kakooza has called on Christians to help popularize the name ‘Francis’ – one that the current Pope chose.

The name, in itself, is popular already, with the pontiff placed high in charge of over 1.2 billion Catholics all over the world.

But Bishop Kakooza maintains that it needs further popularity, and so he called on especially expectant mothers to name their babies ‘Francis’.

The Catholic Church leader, who succeeded retired Benedict XVI earlier this year, chose the name Francis as pontiff – a name that no pope in the Church’s history had used before.

Known for his humble style and background, Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is linked to St. Francis of Assisi, one of the most venerated religious figures in history.

Kakooza reasoned that since it is the first time in the Church’s history to have a pontiff named Francis, then Faithful should make the name popular.

He recommended this at a holy mass he presided over at the launch of celebrations for the Uganda Martyrs Shrine Parish, Namugongo, which is preparing to mark 75 years since its inception.

The parish should have marked this milestone in 2010, but it was not possible due to uncontrollable obstacles.

Not just for boys

The clergyman pointed out that there should not be any excuses from the females that the name is restricted to boys alone.

He referred to feminine names like Frances, Francisca or Jane Frances which share a connection to the name Francis.

He pitted blame on parents who give their children names which hold no meaning as far as the Church is concerned – names like ‘Modern’.

Holy ground

In his homily, the auxiliary bishop reminded the Christians of Namugongo of the significance of their Parish, on which the Martyr’s shrine sits.

His reminder weighed equally with timeliness of the Uganda Martyr’s Day, which is just a few weeks away.

As has been norm for decades, thousands of Faithful will make pilgrimage to the shrine for prayers and blessings, in memory of the Uganda martyrs.