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Orthodox Christians in Uganda are in a celebratory mood following the elevation to the episcopate of the Rt. Rev Constantine Mbonabingi.

Previously the parish priest of Vvumba Orthodox Church (in Luweero district) and also Secretary General of the Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC), Bishop Mbonabingi was consecrated by the Orthodox Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, His Divine Beatitude Theodore II at St Nicholas Cathedral (Patriarchal Residence) in Cairo on Saturday (April 6, 2024).

He will consequently serve the Bishop of the Orthodox Diocese of Juba and all South Sudan.

The newly-consecrated Bishop Constantine Mbonabingi delivering his speech during his thanksgiving function at Namungoona Orthodox Community Centre on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

On Monday (April 8, 2024), hundreds of Orthodox Christians converged at St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral, Namungoona (in Rubaga Division) to welcome and congratulate Bishop Mbonabingi.

The late evening function was dignified by the presence of Orthodox Prelates including the Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolis of Kampala, His Eminence Jeronymos Muzeeyi, Bishop Silvestros Kisitu of Jinja and all Eastern Uganda, Bishop Nektarios Kabuye of Gulu and all Northern Uganda, and the former Bishop of Burundi and Rwanda, Innocentios Byakatonda.

The function started with thanksgiving prayers in the Cathedral and climaxed with a modest reception which properly kept in line with the requirements of the Orthodox Lenten season.

Bishop Constantine Mbonabingi (holding a crozier) delivering a blessing during the thanksgiving prayers for his episcopal ordination at Namungoona Orthodox Cathedral on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

Delivering his thanksgiving remarks during the function, Bishop Mbonabingi called on Orthodox Christians and all Ugandans to support him in his new ministry.  

“Brothers and sisters, all I ask of you is prayers, support. Come and work with me. I need young people with whom I shall run the diocese. I need teachers, catechists, and so forth. If you support me, we shall all succeed. The culture of criticizing others is detrimental and will not do us any good. Only cooperation, solidarity, support and respect for each other will benefit us,” Mbonabingi said.