Fr. Pio laid to rest

PIC: Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga recite prayers at burial of Fr Pio at Nabbingo Parish graveyard on Monday August 13, 2018. (Credit: Juliet Lukwago)

Long-serving priest in Kampala Archdiocese, Fr. Pio Kitanywa was laid to rest at Nabbingo parish graveyard on Monday.

The burial was attended by hundreds of mourners including Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, second vicar of Kampala, Msgr Lawrence Ssemussu, several priests including his students.

Fr Pio served as a priest for 64 years. 

Fr Pio, 95, was the former rector of Kisubi Minor Seminary Kisubi and parish priest of different parishes in Kampala Archdiocese and other parishes before curved from Kampala Archdiocese.   

Msgr. Ssemussu, one of the students of Fr Pio, who preached during the requiem mass for the burial of Fr Pio, hailed him for diligently and wholeheartedly serving the church. 

Fr Pio was a footballer, volleyball player, teacher of Mathematics, Latin and other subjects, he taught many of us at Kisubi Seminary. Though many used to say he is tough, his house was always full of students. 

"He was a good counsellor, teacher, liked cracking jokes and trained many of us."

 PIC: Fr Pio

 PIC: Christians pay their last respects to Fr Pio

Archbishop Dr Lwanga, while addressing the mourners, also hailed Fr Pio for the great work he had done for the Church and his nation.

He asked the priests to emulate Fr Pio's exemplary life towards the service of the Church and his God. He called them to always use their talent profitably as Fr Pio did. 

"He was a dedicated priest and was an idol to all us. He was always principled, which made many to think he was tough." Archbishop said. 

Lwanga said Fr. Pio was also influential in serving the church and the community whenever he worked, which led many to love their religion. He also described him as a talented advisor and teacher to all Christians. 

"I worked with him at Kisubi Seminary in 1981 and I know who Fr Pio was. 

"Although he was principled, he was a dedicated and determined priest, which all of us should emulate in our service," Lwanga said.   

He added that some priests die without any priest taking after them in their families, but Fr Pio was not like that. He has some of his nephews and grandson taking up the calling. 

 PIC: Some of the mourners who attended the burial ceremony of Fr Pio at Nabbingo 

According  to the chancellor of Kampala, Fr Dr Joseph Mary Ssebunnya, Fr Pio was born to the late Yosefu Kimoli and Maria Euphrasia Kigongo Nakabugo of Kyengera in Kampala Archdiocese on November  2, 1923. He belonged to Mamba clan.  

Fr. Pio was ordained a deacon on February 1954 and a priest on December 5 in the same year. He was first posted at Mulajje Parish now Kasana-Luwero diocese in 1955-1957 and later transferred to Nabbingo Parish in 1958. 

He also served in Naluggi parish now Kiyinda-Mityana diocese and later went back to Mulajje. At Kisubi Seminary he was a teacher before becoming its rector. 

He was also a teacher at Nyenga Seminary and curate of Kijjaguzo Parish and Nabbingo parish.

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