Emulate Christ’s love in your families, Kasasa tells couples
Dec 25, 2023
Education has exposed people to a wider range of values, beliefs, and lifestyles, leading to a shift in priorities and values within families which has increased domestic violence in Uganda.
Fr. Peter Clever Kasasa preaching about love among couples which he hopes to address domestic violence at Christ the King Church Kampala (Photos by Isaac Nuwagaba)
Isaac Nuwagaba
Journalist @New Vision
___________________________ A congregation of believers at Christ the King Church attending Christmas prayers
Married couples have been urged to desist from the modern way of life and education as a yardstick for building a family without putting Christ’s love at the centre of their union.
According to Kampala-based Christ the King Church priest Fr Peter Clever Kasasa, today, due to poor communication and lack of family affection, there is too much domestic violence in society which needs to be checked.
Kasasa says education has profoundly impacted modern family setups, leading to greater independence, diversity, and mobility, which have created gaps between married couples, especially in long-distance relationships.
“While these changes brought by modern education can be beneficial, they can also create new challenges for families in terms of maintaining close relationships and preserving traditional values and traditions,” he adds.
Education has exposed people to a wider range of values, beliefs, and lifestyles, leading to a shift in priorities and values within families which has increased domestic violence in Uganda.
"Dear friends," he advises, "today we gather to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ but as we reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, let us not forget the importance of love and compassion in our lives".
"In a world that is often filled with hate and division, we must strive to be beacons of love and light. We must treat others with kindness and respect, even when it is difficult. We must show compassion to those struggling and offer a helping hand to those in need," Kasasa says.
Kasasa advised couples to use the bed to renew their love and affection for Christ’s love to prevail.
“Your bed is your altar where love is celebrated. So, your love should be born in you now that Jesus Christ is here,” he noted challenging husbands to love their wives.
He challenged children to abide by the fourth commandment to respect and honour their parents: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you".
The majority of Ugandans see domestic violence as a private and not a criminal matter yet it is an everyday threat for Ugandan women and girls.
Energy minister Ruth Nankabirwa, who attended the service later added that domestic violence cases account for 33% of the female homicide caseload.
“Community policing programmes and public awareness campaigns do not appear to have reduced the number of GBV cases over the six years. Ugandans should now resort to Jesus Christ as the only source of hope and renewal in addressing such cultural matters,” Nankabirwa advised.
Nankabirwa stressed that education has also changed attitudes towards marriage and family.
“With more women in the workforce, marriage, and family are no longer seen as the sole means of financial stability and security. This has led to a rise in single-parent households and alternative family structures which is bad for our nation,” she added.
Nankabirwa, however, added that education has made it easier for people to move to different locations for work or educational opportunities, leading to a more mobile and dispersed family structure.
“This can make it harder to maintain close family ties and traditions but I am optimistic that with Jesus Christ in the house, harmony shall prevail in society once and for all," she said.
The Uganda Police Force (2016-2021) crime reports document 272,737 Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases between 2016 and 2021, including 2,278 homicides attributed to intimate partners.
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