Ssekadde hands over Namirembe Diocese

Mar 08, 2009

BISHOP Samuel Balagadde Ssekadde has handed over Namirembe Diocese to Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi, after serving for 15 years.

By Cyprian Musoke

BISHOP Samuel Balagadde Ssekadde has handed over Namirembe Diocese to Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi, after serving for 15 years.

Ssekadde handed over the pastoral staff to Orombi, who then declared the Diocese vacant.
Bishop elect Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira will be consecrated on May 31.

At the ceremony during the 10:00am service at Namirembe Cathedral, yesterday, Orombi invited Ssekadde to bid farewell to the congregation.
A smiling 65 year-old Ssekadde, accompanied by wife Allen, children and grand children burst into the popular hymn, Tukutendereza” (We praise you Lord) as he waved to the congregation, some wiping away tears of emotion.

“This is an important day for me, my wife and family as I hand over leadership of Namirembe. I thank God who called me 38 years ago, saved me and changed my life,” Ssekadde said.

He thanked Orombi, the laity, leadership of the Church and the Government for supporting him.
“I am leaving office in peace. I have fought a good fight, and kept the faith. What is important is not having mighty belief in God, but believing in God of might,” Ssekadde said.

He asked to be forgiven where he fell short and wished his successor a fruitful tenure saying: “It has not been easy, but it is your (congregation) love which has enabled us to do what we have been able to do.”

The provincial secretary, the Rev. Canon Aaron Mwesigye, presided over a brief ceremony where Ssekadde read out and signed his abdication of leadership.

Orombi said he would be in charge until the consecration of the new Bishop, saying the bishop elect, could not take office until he officially received the staff.

“I have asked the Dean of the Diocese, Diocese Secretary, and Archdeacons to administer on my behalf,” Orombi said. The team will be headed by the Mukono Bishop, Paul Luzinda.

Orombi rebuked those who campaigned for vacant Church positions, hence leaking secrets to the press.

“It is God and not man who appoints,” he said.

“Domestic storms are not a matter for public consumption. Many of us quarrel at home but we do not go into the open,” he said.

Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi said although Ssekadde had shortcomings, the good things he did for the Diocese outweighed the negative ones.

“He has been repentant when told that he has erred,” he said.
Nsibambi threatened to identify the leader who spilled the church’s mis-understandings, but was restrained by Luzinda.

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