Archbishop Lwanga cautions parents on children's names

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The Archbishop of Kampala Diocese Cyprian Lwanga baptizing  one of 98 children at Ndejje parish in Wakiso district.Photo: Wilfred Sanya
 

By Taddeo Bwambale

The Archbishop of Kampala, Dr. Cyprian Lwanga, has appealed to parents to assign Christian names to their children saying this will give them moral and spiritual direction as they grow.

He decried the practice of naming children after popular film stars and secular personalities, stating that such children lack a spiritual connection to their faith.

Lwanga made the remarks as he baptized 98 children at a ceremony to mark the inauguration of St. Mary Queen of Martyrs Parish in Ndejje, in Wakiso district on Sunday.

The new parish was created by a decree signed by the Archbishop on January 4, elevating St. Kaloli Lwanga from a Sub-parish.

Rev Fr. Francis Kawuuki becomes the first parish priest of the newly-created St. Mary Queen of Martyrs Ndejje parish.

During Holy Mass, a decree creating a new parish status was read out to the congregation, amidst chanting and ululation.

Lwanga said the elevation of the Ndejje church to a parish status was backed by the growth of its congregation.

In his sermon, Lwanga advised Christians to put God above all their aspirations.

The Archbishop scoffed at churches that claim to have initiated overnight prayer events to usher in the New Year.

Without naming the churches, Lwanga said such people have no idea about the origin of the practice.

“It is the Catholic Church that started the practice of holding night vigils on the eve of the New Year. Those who accuse the Catholic Church of copying the practice are not informed,” he stated.

“That is why we hold mass and light candles, so that we welcome the New Year as intercessors, and not like drunkards,” Lwanga said.

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Christians carrying gifts during the inauguration of Ndejje parish in Wakiso district Photo: Wilfred Sanya 

This comes amidst claims by some Pentecostal church leaders that they pioneered the practice that draws crowds to places of worship on December 31.

Henry Kajura, the First Deputy Prime Minister, contributed sh500,000 towards construction of the new Parish building. Several clergy and church organisations attended the function.

The church is built on land donated by Ssekabaka Daudi Chwa.