Priest hosts 70 couples he wedded in his priestly life
Nov 30, 2020
Katende, who is a Rector at the centre, said he had wedded over 279 couples and he invited those who were still alive. Seventy managed to attend the function.
To celebrate his 40th anniversary in priesthood, Msgr John Wynand Katende invited all the couples he wedded in his priestly life to a sumptuous meal.
Katende hosted them at his Foyer de charite retreat centre in Namugongo on Saturday (November 28, 2020).
Katende, who is a Rector at the centre, said he had wedded over 279 couples and he invited those who were still alive. Seventy managed to attend the function.
"I celebrated 40 years of priesthood last month but then got this idea to get my products of marriage celebrate with me as the second phase of my anniversary. These couples are part of me because I wedded them in my vocation as a priest. The vocation of marriage and priesthood go together."
The place was designed to accommodate the social distancing factor as prescribed by the ministry of Health guidelines.
Couples were given masks if they didn't have, they washed their hands to enter, ushers moved around with sanitizers and no other people were allowed accessing the premises.
The function started with mass, in which the couple exchanged vows again. The mass was led by Katende himself and the preacher was Lubaga Cathedral Administrator, Fr Achilles Mayanja.
The guest speaker, who was also one of the couples, was Anthony Nakirya Mateega, the former Head of Laity of Kampala Archdiocese.
He advised the couples to always remember surprising experiences to strengthen their relationship.
After the Mass, couples cut cakes before they proceeded to a picnic dinner, which was however disrupted by the heavy rain.
Msgr Katende was ordained to the priesthood by Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga on November 2, 1980 at his home Parish at Namilyango.
By then it was still under Kampala Archdiocese before it was curved out to Lugazi diocese.
"We build the kingdom of God through in all the sacraments we administer. These couples are fruits of my 40 years of my priesthood.
They asked me to administer their sacrament of matrimony and I accepted. By doing so, I accompanied them along their vocation as they accompany me in mine. And I thank God to see that most of them are still alive and in their matrimony," said Msgr Katende.
Some of the couples got an opportunity to share their experience. These will be covered in the Weekend papers