SIR— The Rev Amos Kasibante and the Rev Francis Aseete are two stories which I read with interest as they unfold. They are icons of the brilliance of modern Christian clergy, providing a window on their shared wisdom as clergy of the Church.

The regularity with which their letters run in newspapers is evidence that the clergyman is no longer “a symbol of a moving mass of ignorance” as the late Prof Mujaju Akiiki of Makerere once decried, when he insisted it was dangerous and risky for people to go to church.

But the contrasts between Kasibante and Aseete are not any less interesting. Aseete is a journalist while Kasibante is a theologian. Nowhere does this contrast show better than when Kasibante teased Aseete in the letter, “I differ from Aseete about his God of Uganda!”. Aseete had praised God for being with Uganda in the 42 years of nationhood. But Kasibante almost told Aseete off for hailing such a God with all the ills Uganda has suffered to date.

Then enter Bob Kisiki inside the clergy’s ring, the Bible clutched in hand, and yells at Kasibante for talking without respect and awe to God. Had he not read 2 Chronicles 7:14? Or had he and other Ugandans lived up to this condition? Is that the way the clergy talk about God, especially in widely read New Vision?

Kisiki, as a lost intruder, gave Kasibante the opportunity to be shown the way round his Bible. We read the Bible badly if we pull out of context a text (2 Chronicles 7:14) and use it against others. Instead we should read other passages in the whole Bible which throw light on our text like the book of Job on suffering and the death of Jesus in Mark 15:24.

It is not clear whether Kisiki and those who think like him found the way to their home. What is clear is that Aseete re-appeared, all smiles to appreciate Kasibante for being such a good friend. Otherwise, Aseete remains in the contradiction.

The Rev Dr John Magumba
Manchester, UK