I have many children â€" Cardinal Wamala
Sep 29, 2006
TODAY, Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala officially hands over Kampala Archdiocese to Bishop Cyprian Lwanga.<b> Hilary Bainemigisha</b> found the 79-year-old prince of the church (will be 80 in December) at his residence and discussed relationships:
TODAY, Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala officially hands over Kampala Archdiocese to Bishop Cyprian Lwanga. Hilary Bainemigisha found the 79-year-old prince of the church (will be 80 in December) at his residence and discussed relationships:
QUESTION: With all the marital chaos in many families and rising divorce rates, are you happy that you led a celibate life? I am very happy with celibacy, but not for those reasons. Celibacy is a gift from God and I should be grateful that God chose me for it.
What challenges did you find in celibacy?
Why should we talk of challenges? I can tell you that I found more joys than challenges because of God’s grace.
But as an elder who has been there long enough, there must be something you want to tell young men planning to lead a celibate life?
You see, marriage is natural to man. So, to forego it is challenge enough. But when it is your calling, you pray about it daily and God gives you a way. Be humble, keep discerning whether celibacy is your calling, open up to your formarters and listen to the Holy Spirit.
If celibacy is a divine gift of grace, why should the church prescribe it for priesthood? Is it fair for youths who aspire for priesthood, but have no gift of celibacy?
When God calls you into priesthood, he gives you the gift of celibacy.
Then why are some priests failing? You heard of Zambia’s Archbishop Milingo’s brief marriage?
Priests are as human as you are. Before God, we are all equal. The failure of a priest is the same as the failure of any Christian. As for the Archbishop, I have no comment. I met him before he got those problems and I cannot comment.
What was your preferred punitive measure against philandering priests?
The same way I would handle a Christian who has strayed. There is only one penance for all Christians. What is good for a priest is also good for a layman. Sin is always sin.
One American bishop said in defence of his paedophile crimes that celibacy and chastity are technically different
He was wrong and maybe defending himself. The church sees celibacy and chastity as similar. Those who separate them are not informed.
But celibacy has been fronted as one reason why the church is running short of priests.
I don’t believe it. Back in history, there was an abundance of priests and celibacy was there. Priests’ shortage is caused by new lifestyles. Families now have one or two children and may be unwilling to offer them to Christ’s priestly work.
There is also more infidelity, which disturbs the source of priestly vocations. But in Uganda, we have an abundance of vocations. Many young men come, but we do not have the means of training them. It is a shortage of resources not manpower.
If Pope Benedict allowed priests to marry, would you take up the offer?
No, I am happy with my celibacy.
But as an African elderly man, retiring without a child, don’t you feel empty?
Oh, I have many children! Biological is not the only source of children. I don’t envy those who have one or two children – though I rejoice with them, I have many who call me father.
Would you welcome a decision to allow women into priesthood in this era of equality?
I would if the Pope allowed it. He would have his own inspired reasons. But the absence of females in priesthood is not inequality. Women can and do serve God in the church sometimes more than priests do. Look at Mother Theresa, how many priests get to her level? Priesthood is not an honour or a status of supremacy; we are all equal before God.
The church’s stand on condom use faces a lot of criticism in this era of poverty and HIV discordant partners. Don’t you think it should change?
I have heard calls for change, but the church remains strong on condoms. But no one should say couples have no choice; they can abstain – aren’t couples separated by long distance doing it? However, there are some individuals who can discuss with their priest as a spiritual director, discern and come to a logical conclusion with the help of the Holy Spirit.
But you cannot include exceptions in the general law. When Jesus said man was not made for the Sabbath, He did not mean that we throw it out. He meant keep the Sabbath holy, but consider individual cases.
What is your take on the current debate about legalising prostitution?
It is shameful for our MPs to speak on our behalf in recommending prostitution. I do not know of any area in Uganda where prostitution is glorified. So which parts do these people represent?
QUESTION: With all the marital chaos in many families and rising divorce rates, are you happy that you led a celibate life? I am very happy with celibacy, but not for those reasons. Celibacy is a gift from God and I should be grateful that God chose me for it.
What challenges did you find in celibacy?
Why should we talk of challenges? I can tell you that I found more joys than challenges because of God’s grace.
But as an elder who has been there long enough, there must be something you want to tell young men planning to lead a celibate life?
You see, marriage is natural to man. So, to forego it is challenge enough. But when it is your calling, you pray about it daily and God gives you a way. Be humble, keep discerning whether celibacy is your calling, open up to your formarters and listen to the Holy Spirit.
If celibacy is a divine gift of grace, why should the church prescribe it for priesthood? Is it fair for youths who aspire for priesthood, but have no gift of celibacy?
When God calls you into priesthood, he gives you the gift of celibacy.
Then why are some priests failing? You heard of Zambia’s Archbishop Milingo’s brief marriage?
Priests are as human as you are. Before God, we are all equal. The failure of a priest is the same as the failure of any Christian. As for the Archbishop, I have no comment. I met him before he got those problems and I cannot comment.
What was your preferred punitive measure against philandering priests?
The same way I would handle a Christian who has strayed. There is only one penance for all Christians. What is good for a priest is also good for a layman. Sin is always sin.
One American bishop said in defence of his paedophile crimes that celibacy and chastity are technically different
He was wrong and maybe defending himself. The church sees celibacy and chastity as similar. Those who separate them are not informed.
But celibacy has been fronted as one reason why the church is running short of priests.
I don’t believe it. Back in history, there was an abundance of priests and celibacy was there. Priests’ shortage is caused by new lifestyles. Families now have one or two children and may be unwilling to offer them to Christ’s priestly work.
There is also more infidelity, which disturbs the source of priestly vocations. But in Uganda, we have an abundance of vocations. Many young men come, but we do not have the means of training them. It is a shortage of resources not manpower.
If Pope Benedict allowed priests to marry, would you take up the offer?
No, I am happy with my celibacy.
But as an African elderly man, retiring without a child, don’t you feel empty?
Oh, I have many children! Biological is not the only source of children. I don’t envy those who have one or two children – though I rejoice with them, I have many who call me father.
Would you welcome a decision to allow women into priesthood in this era of equality?
I would if the Pope allowed it. He would have his own inspired reasons. But the absence of females in priesthood is not inequality. Women can and do serve God in the church sometimes more than priests do. Look at Mother Theresa, how many priests get to her level? Priesthood is not an honour or a status of supremacy; we are all equal before God.
The church’s stand on condom use faces a lot of criticism in this era of poverty and HIV discordant partners. Don’t you think it should change?
I have heard calls for change, but the church remains strong on condoms. But no one should say couples have no choice; they can abstain – aren’t couples separated by long distance doing it? However, there are some individuals who can discuss with their priest as a spiritual director, discern and come to a logical conclusion with the help of the Holy Spirit.
But you cannot include exceptions in the general law. When Jesus said man was not made for the Sabbath, He did not mean that we throw it out. He meant keep the Sabbath holy, but consider individual cases.
What is your take on the current debate about legalising prostitution?
It is shameful for our MPs to speak on our behalf in recommending prostitution. I do not know of any area in Uganda where prostitution is glorified. So which parts do these people represent?