Rt. Rev. Christopher Kakooza, Bishop of Lugazi Diocese, has called on Christians to carry forward the legacy of the Uganda Martyrs by living out their faith with love, courage, and unwavering commitment.
He delivered this message during a brief but stirring homily at this year’s Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations held at the Namugongo Catholic Shrines.
In his address, Bishop Kakooza emphasized that today’s believers are heirs to the mission of the martyrs.
This mission calls for boldly proclaiming the Gospel in a world often marked by suffering and uncertainty. He said that life is filled with trials and suffering.
However, he reminded the faithful that these troubles are temporary. The martyrs understood this truth.
They endured their pain with hope and gave witness to the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ.
Describing the Uganda Martyrs as pilgrims of hope, Bishop Kakooza stressed that love is the foundation of selfless service and sacrifice.
He encouraged Christians to deepen their spiritual lives through prayer and charitable acts.
These expressions of love, he noted, unite believers more closely with God and with one another.
This year’s liturgy was led by Lugazi Diocese under the theme “Lord, Let Me See Again, A Pilgrim of Hope.”
The celebration attracted thousands of pilgrims from Uganda, across Africa, and beyond.
Among the participants were bishops from Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and South Africa.
A significant moment in the event was the launch of the Martyrs Edition of the Good News Bible.
This was officiated by Bishop Antony Zziwa, Chairperson of the Uganda Episcopal Conference.
He announced that the special edition was produced in partnership with the Bible Society to mark the pilgrimage year.
He encouraged the faithful to obtain a copy, noting that it contains all the Catholic books of the Bible.
Reflecting on the Church’s synodal journey, Bishop Zziwa shared that the bishops received and reviewed the final documents from the Synod that took place in Rome in October of the previous year.
With support from national and diocesan teams, they are now working to interpret and implement the conclusions of the Synod within the local Church.
The occasion also served as a farewell to Archbishop Luigi Bianco, the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, who has been assigned to a new diplomatic mission.
Bishops and the faithful expressed their heartfelt gratitude for his dedicated service to the Church in Uganda.
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