Lwanga defends forgiving of sins by priests

By Pascal Kwesiga     

The Archbishop of Kampala, Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga has defended the practice of “hearing and forgiving sins” of the Christians by the Catholic priests.

Lwanga noted that the custom of hearing and forgiving sins confessed to priests by Christians was endorsed by God and is ingrained in the Holy Scriptures, adding that the people who criticize Catholics for confessing their sins to fellow human beings have not read the scriptures that give the priests powers to forgive sins in God’s name.

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The newly ordained priets blessing Archbishiop Cyprian Lwanga, Auxilliary Bishop Joseph Perry of Chicago Archdiocese and Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala at Kabulabuliro Entebbe. Photo/ Wilfred Sanya

The Archbishop was “giving powers” to forgive sins to ten priests, deacons and brothers he ordained during silver jubilee celebrations of the order of friars minors capuchin-one of the congregation of priests in the Catholic Church at St. Padre Pio shrine in Kabulamuliro in Wakiso district on Sunday.

The ordained priests include; Rev. fathers Francis Seguya, Alexander Muddu, John Bosco Ssekkomo and Martin Luboyera. Brothers John Baluku, Stephen Kabiito and Aloysius Sseruwagi were ordained deacons while Victor Ogenmungu, Anthony Eyuk and Benedict Oyo took their vows as brothers in the Catholic Church. The priests belonging to the capuchin congregation came to Uganda in 1988.

Lwanga told the priests that he had given them powers to hear and forgive sins confessed to them by Christians as a requirement of the penitence sacrament and cautioned them against misusing the powers.

“Through the power given to me by God, I give you the powers to hear peoples’ sins and forgive them in the name of the father, the son and the Holy Spirit,” he declared.

He explained that after resurrection Jesus gave his disciples powers to forgive sins of those who would confess, adding that Jesus said the sins they (disciples) will forgive will be forgiven in heaven,”

The penitence sacrament that requires Catholics to confess their sins to a priest in a confession room is opposed by the Anglican and Pentecostal Christians who don’t believe that an individual priest has powers to forgive sins.

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The priets and Deacon  waving to the congregation after being ordained during the Celebratiions to mark the Silver Jubilee of St Padre Pio Shrine. Photo/Wilfred Sanya

But the Catholics believe they confess the sins to God, with the priest serving as a witness or an advisor. After confession, a priest cautions a Christian against repeating the sins they have confessed and recommends to them to say certain prayers to God outside the confession room before they are allowed to take the Eucharist sacrament.

“If you are challenged by some people on the penitence sacrament, listen to them but advise that they read the gospel of John 20:19-23 where God gives us the powers to listen and forgive sins in his name,” Lwanga said.

He stressed the need for Christians to strengthen each other in faith at the time when they are being bombarded by conflicting messages from various preachers.

Lwanga said registration of Christians who would like to attend the canonization of the late Popes Paul II John XXII is underway in his chancellor’s office. The canonization of the deceased pontificates that was approved by Pope Francis is scheduled for December.

Rev. father Francis Furtado, the superior regular for the capuchins in Uganda said the celebration was a mile stone for the capuchin congregation.