CHRISTIAN FAITH

KAMPALA - The Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kampala, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga has asked Catholics to shun “self-styled priests.

The Archbishop said the priests hoodwink the faithful and subsequently stole their money and property.

“Today we have many clerical pretenders who go to our people and promise them miracles of healing and deliverance.

"They dress like us, which makes it difficult for many of our people to detect their deceit. If they come to you, task them to tell you where they come from and who commissioned them.”

Lwanga was presiding over the celebrations for the 76 anniversary of Our Lady of Visitation Catholic Parish, Nabbingo, which took place at the Church, in Wakiso district on Sunday.

Lwanga later attacked critics of the church, whom he blamed for spreading falsehood about the Catholic doctrine. He vehemently defended the Catholic Sacraments, describing them as ‘Biblical.””

“All our Sacraments, which include Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Ordination and Holy Matrimony are Biblically rooted. So, ours is a serious faith.

"We firmly believe that when a duly ordained priest consecrates bread and wine, it becomes the real body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Lwanga nonetheless acknowledged that some Catholics were reluctant to receive the sacrament of Penance, in fear of declaring their sins to the priests who know them.

“The confession box is like a bathroom where you are supposed to clean yourself of all the dirt. So, you are supposed to tell the priest all your sins so that he can forgive you in the name of Jesus, further to counseling you.

"If you feel that the priest knows a lot about you, look for another one who doesn’t know you, instead of keeping sins.”

Lwanga later asked the Christians of Nabbingo to live out the Catholic values, to love the faith and also defend it.

He also asked them to read the Bible regularly, in their homes, to deepen their knowledge of God. He further asked the Christians to maintain good health standards by eating responsibly and going for regular medical check-ups.

The parish’s head of the laity, Grace Lwanga announced plans to make minor alterations on the church, to improve its ventilation system.

The parish-priest, Fr Charles Kiggundu thanked the parishioners for their financial support towards the church’s sh1.5bn presbytery, which is currently under construction.

During the mass, Archbishop Lwanga confirmed 540 children into the Catholic faith.