Catholic Church commemorates 146 years of Pioneer Missionaries

By Mathias Mazinga 

WAKISO - Catholics have been asked to take active participation in politics and economics, in order to develop themselves, the Church and the country.

The call to holistic participation of the Catholic laity was made by the Bishop of Masaka diocese, the Rt Rev Serverus Jjumba, who was the main celebrant of the solemn Pontifical mass for the commemoration of the 146th anniversary of the arrival of the pioneer Catholic missionaries in Uganda.

The celebration took place at Mapeera Memorial Church, Kigungu Landing Site, Entebbe Municipality, Wakiso district on Monday, February 17, 2025. 

Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere delivers his message for the commemoration of the 146th anniversary of the arrival of the pioneer Catholic missionaries at Mapeera Memorial Church, Kigungu Landing Site, Entebbe Municipality, Wakiso district on Monday, February 17, 2025. (Credit: Mathias Mazinga)

Delivering his homily during mass, Bishop Jjumba put it to the Christians to understand that participation in the country’s socio-economic and political life was a duty that the Church gives them. Referring to the documents of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Bishop Jjumba said: “It is the duty of every baptized Catholic to participate in the country’s politics and economics. We want you to work hard so that you can get money to support yourselves and the Church. Don’t be timid. Always have hope. In case of challenges, pray, receive the Sacraments and be strengthened,” Jjumba said.

Bishop Jjumba paid tribute to the pioneer missionaries, Fr Simeon Lourdel Mapeera and Bro Delmas Amans for their deep faith and devotion, which he said, motivated them to come to Uganda, a country that was unknown to them, to preach the Gospel.

“As a result of their amazing missionary activity, the Catholic Church flourished. We got the Uganda martyrs. We also got priests, religious men and women, bishops, Cardinals and married couples of good examples.

As we make this pilgrimage of faith, we are reminded to walk the journey of these great missionaries, ourancestorsr in the faith. The baptism we received should be reflected in our life,” Jjumba said.

The Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere blamed some sections of the community whom he said criticize religious leaders for not making political statements referring to their accusations as unfair. 

Bishop Serverus Jjumba delivers his homily during the Pontifical mass for the commemoration of the 146th anniversary of the arrival of the pioneer Catholic missionaries at Mapeera Memorial Church, Kigungu Landing Site, Entebbe Municipality, Wakiso district on Monday, February 17, 2025. (Credit: Mathias Mazinga)

He said the laity should use the empowerment that the Church has given them to fight the injustices in politics and economics instead of waiting for the religious leaders to speak on their behalf. 

He said any attempt to drag the religious leaders into politics would derail them from their duty of preaching the Gospel.

He later asked the Catholic faithful to compete for political positions and also to elect people of integrity who would promote good governance, peace, reconciliation, unity and development for all Ugandans. 

Rev Fr Richard Nnyombi of the missionary society of the White Fathers asked Christians to pray for the beatification and eventual canonization of Fr Lourdel Mapeera and Bro Delmas Amans and also to donate money to facilitate the process. 

The function was also graced by politicians including NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi, the Leader of Opposition Hon Joel Senyonyi, and others. 

The pioneer Catholic missionaries, Fr Lourdel Mapeera and Bro Delmas Amans of the missionary society of White Fathers arrived in Uganda on February 17, 1879. They then started their evangelistic activity after getting permission from Ssekabaka Muteesa I of Buganda.