'It is not right': Christians urged to rethink coins as offertory
The priest said it is very shameful to see a believer offering a coin in the Church; people should learn to offer a genuine item to God.
Rev. Fr Justine Eric Uma leads Mass at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Gulu City on Sunday. (Credit: Johnisani Ocakacon)
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The parish priest of Holy Rosary Catholic Parish in Pece Laroo Division, Gulu city, Rev. Fr Justine Eric Uma, has discouraged Christians from offering coins during Holy Mass, urging them instead to make meaningful contributions to support the work and mission of the Church.
Fr Uma made the remarks while leading the first Mass at Holy Rosary Catholic Church on August 16, 2026.
He said Christians should understand that God is the giver of everything they possess and should, therefore, learn to offer something meaningful to the Church in thanksgiving.
He observed that many Christians have developed a habit of offering small coins, including sh100, sh200 and sh500, during prayers and church celebrations. According to him, such contributions do not provide sufficient support for the activities and development of the parish.
“It is not right for Christians to offer coins in the Church during prayers to God, because God is the giver of everything that we have on earth,” Father Uma said.
He added that the Church entirely depends on the support of Christians to continue growing and carrying out its activities, emphasising that the Church belongs to the people and should, therefore, be supported wholeheartedly.
Father Uma urged Christians to learn to offer something good to the Church so that it can continue with its mission of evangelising the Gospel, as well as supporting needy and vulnerable members of the community.
He also called on believers to rally support for catechists, saying they play an important role in the life of the Church. He explained that catechists are at the forefront of instructing catechumens and preparing them to receive the sacraments.
“Supporting the Church is part of our responsibility as believers. Our contributions help sustain the activities and services of the parish and enable the Church to continue serving the community,” he said.
Robinson Pailem, a parishioner who also serves as the chairperson of Holy Family at Holy Rosary Catholic Parish, welcomed the priest’s call.
He said Christians should learn to support their Church through the offerings they make during prayers.
“We are the Church, and we need to support it to see that it continues with its activities of preaching the good news to the poor. This can be done if Christians participate massively by giving money to the Church,” Pailem said.
Jennifer Ocaya, another parishioner, said it was shameful for a believer to offer a coin in Church, describing the practice as an abuse of the opportunity to give to God. She urged Christians to learn to offer something meaningful.
“It is very shameful to see a believer offering a coin in the Church. People should learn to offer a genuine item to God,” she said.
She acknowledged that many people in Acholi communities often describe themselves as poor, but said they could still offer something good to the Church according to their ability.
Ocaya said meaningful contributions would help the Church continue with its mission of evangelisation and enable it to support needy people within the community.
The call comes as the parish seeks greater participation from Christians in supporting Church activities, evangelisation, catechists and community outreach programmes.