Pope Francis praises Bishop Ssentongo

TRIBUTE    RELIGION

Pope Francis has paid tribute to Bishop Henry Apaloryamam Ssentongo, the Bishop Emeritus of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Moroto.  

Ssentongo died at Nsambya Hospital, last week, aged 83.

The Pope referred to Ssentongo's 22-year episcopal ministry in Moroto as "fruitful and devoted".

Bishop Damiano Giulio Guzzetti of Moroto diocese applying incense on Bishop Ssentongo's casket

 
Ssentongo also attracted warm tributes from the Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who referred to him as an exemplary pastor, who had served the Church with great zeal and devotion.

The requiem mass was presided over by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kampala, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga. Prelates such as Archbishop Luigi Bianco (the Apostolic Nuncio), Bishop Damiano Giulio Guzzette of Moroto and Bishop Filippi Giuseppe of Kotido also graced the function.

Ssentongo was buried at Bukalasa Minor Seminary, in Kalungu district on Monday.

Bishop Ssentongo's relatives during the funeral mass

The choir of the Kampala-resident Masaka Christians animating Bishop Ssentongo's requiem

 

Archbishop Lwanga and other Catholic clerics covering the casket with a purple cloth

 

Bishop Damiano Guzzetti, Archbishop Bianco, Archibishop Lwanga and other clerics leaving the cathedral with Bishop Ssentongo's casket after the requiem mass