Mpigi priest becomes father's heir

The Episcopal Vicar of Mitala-Maria Vicariate, Fr Denis Kizito Ssebunnya  has been installed the heir to his father, the late Adolf Kizito Kibirige.

The late Kizito passed way on June 16, 2014, at the age of  82 years.

The funeral rites ceremony started with holy mass led by the Archbishop Dr. Cyprian Kizito-Lwanga helped by Bishop of Masaka diocese, John Baptist Kaggwa and several priests from diffrent parishes.

Archbishop Lwanga explained to the congregation that praying for the dead manifests the origins in our belief in the communion of saints.

The clergy led by Archbishop Lwanga pray for the late Kizito before installing his heir. Photo by Juliet Lukwago

"Christians who have died continue to be members of the communion of saints. We can assist them by our prayers, and they can assist us by theirs," Lwanga said.

He asid "the practice of praying for the dead is rooted first in Christian belief in everlasting life promised in Jesus' teachings and foreshadowed by his disciples' experience that God had raised him from the dead.

At the installation Ssebunnya was handed a spear by his clan leaders; in Buganda, a spear is regarded a great symbol of bravery and determination used in the installation of the king and family heirs.

Archbishop of Kampala, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga gives Fr Denis Kizito a bible after his installation as heir to his father, Late Mzee Adolf Kizito PHOTO BY JULIET LUKWAGO

In normal succession ceremony during the installation of a heir, the items are used to symbolize manhood and leadership.

The spear signifies readiness to defend not only territorial integrity but also all cultural values of the kingdom or tribe.

He was also handed a gourd, dressed him with bark cloth (olubugo) as clan elders appealed to him to lead well his sibligs and also continue respecting the clan leaders as his father did.

Ssebunnya said of his new responsibilities; "He was my father, so my siblings chose me to become the heir and I have no problem with it. I will stand in my father's footsteps and take resposibility with the help of my elders and relatives."

Notably amusing was that the funeral rites were presided over by Muslims.

The function attracted many politicians who included among others Medard Sseggona, Nantongo Zziwa, and various Buganda government officials.

After installing him, Archbishop Lwanga offered him a rosary, bible and a crucifix to help him in his new responsibilities. He said that they are some of the weapons which will help him in his new responsibilities.

Records in the Catholic Church show Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa among others, are the heirs of their fathers.

Bishop Kaggwa called on parents to emulate the late Kizito who raised his children responsibly.

"Kizito-Kibirige is a leading example to all parents who are not taking care of their children most especially in this new generation," Kaggwa said.

Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala said that the Catholic church is clear on preserving long standing cultures, reason it even allows families perform last funeral rites for priests, nuns and brothers when they die.

"The church prays for the soul of a dead person and strengthens those that are still alive. We don't stop anyone to be heir their relatives or organizing funeral rites for a dead servant of God. Some of us are heirs to our parents too.

After all, Jesus whom we follow made Peter His heir. So the church doesn't have a problem with earthly heirs or last funeral rites."