Process to beatify Amans and Mapeera underway

The Catholic Church has started the process that will see Uganda get more saints, adding to the 22 Catholic Martyrs killed by Kabaka Mwanga in the 1880's. 

Vicent Kirabo, the Bishop of Hoima Catholic Diocese, said the process could see Father Mapeera and Brother Amans become the next saints, after the martyrs butchered over refusal to renounce their Christian faith.   

"We are happy to inform you that the two missionaries — Father Lourdel Mapeera and Brother Delmas Amans — were officially presented in 2016 to mother church (Rome) asking to start the process of their beatification and eventual canonization," he said while presiding over the Martyrs Day celebrations at Namugongo on Saturday. 

Fr. Mapeera and Bro. Amans, both members of the Catholic Missionary Society of White Fathers (also called Missionaries of Africa), were the very first Catholic missionaries to come to Uganda. 

Kirabo said the duo was instrumental in mentoring the Uganda Martyrs, and their contribution was instrumental in the resolve the Martyrs showed in the face of the brutality of King Mwanga.  

Natives of France, Fr. Mapeera and Bro. Amans arrived at Kigungu Landing Site (in Entebbe Municipality) on February 17, 1879. 

Delivering his homily during the mass, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kampala, Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga also recently asked the Christians to pray fervently through the intercession of Fr. Mapeera, Bro. Amans and Mother Kevin and subsequently report any miracle, favour or sign that they receive, to the tribunal officials. 

He said that proven miracles and signs will be indicators of the close communion with God, of the three Servants of God. 

Lwanga asked the Christians to stick to one Servant of God when they are praying, arguing that if they prayed through all the three, they would not know to whom to attribute the respective miracles, in case they receive it.

He said that they had composed special prayers of intercession through the three servants of God, which the Christians will be reciting. 

Lwanga nonetheless cautioned the Christians against obsession with miracles. He said it was more important to meditate deeply on the spiritual life, examples and heroic virtues of the three servants of God.