Catholic Church marks 145 years of first mass

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On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, hundreds of Catholics made a pilgrimage of faith to St John the Baptist Mapeera-Nabulagala parish church (in Rubaga Division) to commemorate 145 years of the first mass in Uganda.

The solemn Eucharistic celebration was presided over by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, the Most Rev Paul Ssemogerere. The mass was concelebrated by several Catholic clerics including Msgr John Baptist Ssebayigga, Fr Emmanuel Ddamba and several confreres of the Catholic missionary society of the White Fathers (Missionaries of Africa) led by Fr Richard Nnyombi.

Delivering his homily during the solemn pontifical mass, Archbishop Ssemogerere paid tribute to his venerable predecessor, Cyprian Kizito Lwanga for elevating Mapeera-Nabulagala to a fully-fledged parish. He also thanked the White Fathers (Missionaries of Africa) who administered it for elevating its spectacle.

Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere delivering his homily during the thanksgivng mass for the 145th anniversary of the first Catholic mass in Uganda at Mapeera-Nabulagala Catholic Church. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

“Nabulagala is prominent in the history of our Church. It is where the first-ever Eucharistic celebration in our country took place. We remember with even greater gratitude King Muteesa I of Buganda who donated this land to the missionaries after allowing them to preach the Catholic faith in his kingdom.”

In his latter remarks, Ssemogerere asked Christians to be conscious of self-styled priests who he said are taking advantage of the cosmopolitan aspect of the archdiocese to play mischief to unsuspecting members of the Church. The Prelate of Lubaga also blamed some priests who disregard the liturgical rules of the Church and say mass in homes or places which don’t meet the Catholic ecclesial requirements. He asked the Christians to always follow the liturgical guidelines to avoid falling into the traps of the clerical masqueraders.

“Today we have a serious problem. Some people disguise themselves as Catholic priests and say mass in your homes and communities. They wear real mass vestments and look like us. People who see them think they are genuine yet they are masqueraders making money through trickery.  Please beware of them. Don’t just call anybody to say mass for you just because he is wearing clerical robes. It is not for you to decide for yourself whether you can have mass at your home.  It is the responsibility of the parish priest. So, if you want mass, follow the right procedure. First, inform your parish priest who knows well whether there are no impediments.”

The visiting Bishop of the American Diocese of Dallas, the Most Rev Edward Burns congratulated all Ugandans on the 145th anniversary of the first mass.

The Visiting Bishop of the American Diocese of Dallas, Edward Burns delivering his remarks.(Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

During the grand function, Archbishop Ssemogerere gave the first Holy Communion to 338 children. The event ran under the theme: Holy Eucharist; the Strength of the Uganda Martyrs.

Mengo calls for greater recognition of King Muteesa I

The Buganda Kingdom minister responsible for the Great Buganda Lukiiko, Cabinet and Protocol, Hon. Noah Kiyimba, asked the Catholic Church leaders to remember with greater gratitude the contribution of King Muteesa I (who invited the pioneer missionaries) to the establishment of Christianity in Uganda.

The function was graced by several dignitaries, including the Mayor of Rubaga Zacchy Mberaze, Hon Abubaker Kawalya and the head of the laity of Kampala Archdiocese, Emily Kitto Mwaka, just to name a few.