Catholic bishops set for Vatican visit

PIC: Msgr Dr Francis Ndamira delivers a speech on behalf of the Uganda Catholic Secretariat staff who organised the thanksgiving family dinner. (Credit: Mathias Mazinga)

RELIGION

KAMPALA- The Catholic Bishops of Uganda will on Tuesday travel to the Vatican for their Ad Limina Apostolorum visit, the chairman of the Episcopal Conference, Archbishop John Baptist Odama has announced.

Ad Limina is a mandatory five-year recurrent pilgrimage during which bishops get audience with the Pope and brief him on the issues in their dioceses. The Prelates also visit the tombs of the Apostles, Peter and Paul, and the four major Basilicas in Rome. 

Odama made the announcement during the family dinner of the Bishops and staff of the Uganda Catholic Secretariat that was held at the secretariat's premises in Nsambya on Thursday (June 7).

Rome's four Major Basilicas that the Bishops will visit during their stay in Rome include St Peter's Basilica, the Papal Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, St Mary Major and the Arch-Basilica of St John in the Lateran. The Prelates are expected back on June 23, according to Odama.

 Msgr Kauta (left) pays tribute to Fr Phillip Balikuddembe (centre) as Msgr Ndamira looks on

Odama also announced the 19th plenary of the Bishops of AMECEA (Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa), which will convene in Ethiopia in July, under the theme: Vibrant Diversity, Equal Dignity, and Peaceful Unity in God in the AMECEA Region. Amecea brings together episcopal conferences from countries like Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia. Odama asked Christians to pray for the successful participation of the Bishops in the two events.

Odama later declared Gulu Archdiocese as the organisers of next year's Martyrs Day Celebrations. He also congratulated Archbishop Emmanuel Obbo and the Christians of Tororo Archdiocese for organising this year's celebrations with great success.

 Archbishop Odama launches the Directory of the Catholic Church

UCS staff rewarded
During the function, Archbishop Odama gave out prizes to some staff members of the Uganda Catholic Secretariat for their dedicated service.

They included Fr Dr Lucian Arinaitwe (the out-gong executive secretary for education), Fr Phillip Balikuddembe (out-going Director of Pontifical Mission Societies) and Fr John Baptist Kaganda, the secretariat's newly appointed Executive Secretary of the Pastoral and Liturgical Commission, who celebrated 25 years in Catholic priesthood.

The Secretary General of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, Msgr John Baptist Kauta was also congratulated on making 50 years in Catholic priesthood.  Odama also launched the Directory of the Catholic Church in Uganda.

 Archbishop John Baptist Odama (centre), hands over a present to Fr Phillip Balikuddembe  (right) as Msgr Kauta looks on