Christians urged to emulate Pope Francis

Main celebrant Rt. Rev. Paul Ssemwogerere during the AMDA palm Sunday mass at Kitante Primary school. All photos by Miriam Namutebi.

The Bishop of Kasana-Luwero diocese, Paul Ssemogerere has called on Christians to emulate Pope Francis' exceptional humility, which was expressed in kissing the feet of South Sudan leaders.

Last week, the Pope took the world by surprise when he knelt and kissed the feet of South Sudan leaders in an unprecedented act of humility, as he begged them to avoid a return to civil war.

Presiding over the Palm Sunday mass at Kitante Primary School, Ssemogerere called on Christians to reflect and meditate on what the Pope did. 

 "I was touched when the Pope knelt down and kissed the feet of leaders of South Sudan. I wonder if I can even do that," said the Bishop.  

He added, "Let's do something similar to that but it needs courage to do what the Pope and Jesus Christ did."

Palm Sunday is when worshippers across the world commemorate Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, days before he was crucified. Christians carried palm leaves to show the triumph of Jesus Christ.

The Abashambo, a clan in Ankole led the colourful celebrations, where the faithful were treated to drama, as different characters acted on the account of the passion of Jesus Christ from his arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection.

 
The characters showed weaknesses of religious leaders who plotted Jesus's death and the cruelty of the soldiers, who led to his execution.

The Bishop said Palm Sunday is a day for remembering the goodness of Jesus Christ. "Jesus's death was a blessing for us because we were able to receive and love God through him."

He added, "The account that led to Jesus's death helps us to know how to deal with difficult times."

Ssemogerere said Jesus's suffering would have been wasted, if he had not endured it with love.

The Bishop observed that most Christians are not humble, peaceful and do not take care of others, an act he said is a bad.

Ssemogerere said business is as usual during lent and not usual when the Muslims fast because most Christians do not want to fast.

The Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Bright Rwamirama, encouraged worshippers to take advantage of the organisation for improving their livelihood and contributing to the economic development of the country.

Rwamirama said the government wants to understand the situation in Sudan before it comes up with a position.

Sudan's Omar al-Bashir was last week ousted and arrested by the military after nearly 30 years in power.   

 
The Buhwenju county MP, Francis Mwijukye said political leaders should stop being proud because all people need is fairness, equal opportunities, justice and peace for the development of the country.

"What the Pope did should be a key for justice and peace in order to transform society," he said.

Present at the mass were Gervase Ndyanabo, Uganda National Catholic Council of Lay Apostolate president (UNCCLA) and Eudes Ketirima, the head Land Division of the High Court.