Arch. Lwanga consecrates sh1.51b church

By John Agaba

KAMPALA Archbishop, Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, on Sunday called for chastity as he consecrated the new sh1.51b Catholic Church in Kibuye-Makindye, named after St. Agnes — killed for refusing to give in to sex.

According to Catholic folklore, St. Agnes was about 12 when she was killed for refusing to give away her virginity. The date was January 21, 304 AD.

The little girl is venerated in the Catholic Church as a virgin martyr. She is the patron saint of chastity, gardeners, girls, engaged couples, rape victims, and virgins.

In a homily, replete with Bible allusions, the Archbishop asked the laity, who occupied the whole of the church’s 1000-sitter inside and outside on the pavers, to emulate St. Agnes’ example and to uphold the virtues of chastity and purity and to guard “our bodies as the temple of Christ.”

The Archbishop preached against fornication, promiscuity, and adultery.

The church, your typical Catholic Church (it is circular in shape, with a very conservative architecture, not many fancy decorations, but with elegance), was started in 2008.

It was now 7 years. And as Lwanga moved around its marble alter consecrating it with the holy oils of Charisma, the laity clapped after clap.

“We started the plan to build a bigger church in 2000, after Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala agreed to elevate us to Parish level. But we couldn’t start till after January 27, 2008,” Stephen Kiwanuka, the head of the laity, said.

Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Joseph Lugobe thanked everyone who contributed to the building of the sh1.51b house of God.

During the mass, where the Archbishop also joined 19 couples in Holy Matrimony, the laity was asked to pray for peace, love, and unity.

Lwanga dedicated the Church to Christ.

The service that started at about 9:00am with a band concluded at about 3:00pm with a luncheon.