5 minutes with a Papal Knight

Pope Francis will visit Uganda in November 27-29. Mathias Mazinga visited Chevalier Tofiri Kivumbi Malokweza, 87, a papal knight, at his home in Kazo to find out how the knights are preparing for the Papal visit come . 

When will you begin practicing for the papal visit?

We shall wait for what our bishops will tell us to do. We are ready. All of us Christians have the obligation to prepare ourselves spiritually for the Papal visit. 

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Nigerian Papal Knights appointed recently

How did you become a papal Knight?

I was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012 and subsequently vested at Rubaga Cathedral on January 1, 2013. To be honest, I don't think I deserved the honour. It was just God's grace. But about two decades before, my friend, who had been made a Papal Knight, told me he wished I was his brother in Knighthood! Later a number of priests and nuns also told me I deserved to be a Papal Knight. I never asked them why. I even thought they were just joking! I thought I was too meek and insignificant to receive such an honour. So if you want to get the exact reasons why I was considered, you have to ask the Archbishop of Kampala, Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga. All I know is that for any Christian to be appointed a Papal Knight or Dame, he or she must have rendered exemplary service to the Church. 

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Papal Dame, Margaret Mary Ntege having a light moment with a newly ordained priest at Rubaga Cathedral

How did you feel?

I was deeply humbled. My son, there are some things which happen to you and, because of their enormous honour, you decline to believe the reality! All I can tell you is that I was overwhelmed. It was the first day of the year 2013 when I was vested together with 9 others. It was Francis Xavier Lubanga, John Pool Kalungi, Joseph Kiwanuka, Dr. Joseph Mary Seremba, William Mubiru, Joseph Kiwanuka, Dame Letitia Nyonyintono Kikonyogo and Dame Margaret Mary Ntege. 

So, what are you in the hierarchy of Papal Knights and Dames?

We are a brotherhood. We don't have a chairman or a chain of command, although I think it would be good for us to have a leadership structure. 

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The Archbishop of Kampala, Dr. Cyprian Lwanga greets Papal Knight Malokweza

How much are you paid? 

We earn no salary out of Knighthood. Papal Knighthood is just a honour, a recognition for exemplary service to the church, which is also intended to inspire other Christians to emulate those that have received it. No material benefits

So, what exactly do you do?

Our roles are basically ceremonial. We are supposed to be with our bishops when they are presiding over religious ceremonies. In fact, we are not allowed to put on our uniform unless we are at Church functions where the bishop, archbishop, cardinal or pope is. We walk besides them during the liturgical procession. We also have the privilege to sit at the sanctuary, with priests, when our bishops are presiding over mass. At consecration, we raise our swords, to honour our Lord Jesus Christ comes.

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The Papal Knights in a procession

How would you identify an impersonator in your uniform?

In the first place, we are not very many; we are about ten if I am not mistaken. So, we know each other. But even our Christians know us well. So, they will be the first ones to identify the respective impersonator and throw him out.