SECAM prelates visit Nabulagala

KAMPALA - Catholic delegates attending the plenary assembly of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), at Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort have visited Mapeera-Nabulagala Catholic Church, near Kasubi tombs, in Rubaga Division.

The visit, on Wednesday evening, was part of the three-station faith tour of the historic Catholic sites in the Kampala vicinity.

The delegates who included bishops, archbishops, priests, and Catholic professionals were received by the Vicar-General of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kampala, the Rt Rev Msgr Charles Kasibante, and the parish priest, the Very Rev Fr Richard Nnyombi, a senior confrere of the Catholic Missionary Society of White Fathers (Missionaries of Africa). Before going to Nabulagala, the SECAM prelates toured Munyonyo Catholic Martyrs Shrine, and Mapeera-Bakateyamba's Home, Nalukolongo, a home for disabled, elderly and sickly people, owned by the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kampala.

The SECAM Delegates praying at the burial place of the pioneer missionaries, during their visit to Mapeera Nabulagala Catholic Church

 
Although Mapeera-Nabulagala was the last station, it was not the least among the places that the Prelates visited. It is rather, arguably, the most significant parish in Uganda. It is the cradle of the Catholic faith in Uganda.

Mapeera-Nabulagala was the first mission station of the pioneer missionaries (of the Society of White Fathers), where also, the first-ever Catholic mass was celebrated. It is also at Nabulagala that the Catholic Sacraments such as Baptism, Confirmation, and Reconciliation were first celebrated. It is still at Nabulagala that the remains of the pioneer missionaries, namely Fr Lourdel Mapeera, Fr Barbot, Bro Delmas Amans, Fr Girault and Msgr Livinhac were buried.

The parish-priest of Nabulagala, Fr Richard Nnyombi (White Father) delivers his speech during the visit of the SECAM delegates

 
During their visit, the SECAM Prelates participated in prayers, led by Msgr Kasibante and Fr Richard Nnyombi. Led by their President, the Most Rev Gabriel Mbilingi (the Archbishop of the Angolan Archdiocese of Lubango), the SECAM delegates lit candles in memory of the pioneer missionaries. They then walked in procession to the Memorial Chapel, where the missionaries were buried.

The Bishop of Gaborone (in Botswana), Franklyn Atese Nubuasah thanked the parishioners of Nabulagala for their warm welcome. Nabuash later encouraged young Ugandans to develop a passion for the African mission.

"The Church in Africa must develop a native African missionary orientation.  Please have the willingness and zeal to go and work as missionaries in other African countries."

Msgr Charles Kasibante welcoming the SECAM delegates to Mapeera-Nabulagala Catholic Church

The President of SECAM, Archbishop Gabriel Mbilingi lighting a candle in honour of the departed pioneer missionaries of the Society of White Fathers, during the visit of the SECAM delegates to Mapeera-Nabulagala Catholic Church