June 10, 2006             July 21, 2006

P R E S S    R E L E A S E

 of the Uganda Episcopal Conference  

After the plenary MEETING OF june 4-10, 2006

 

After the great Celebration of the Uganda Martyrs’ Feast Day at Namugongo, the Catholic Bishops of Uganda began on 4th June 2006 their Annual Plenary at St. Augustine’s Institute – Nsambya.

 

Uganda Martyrs’ Day is a gift to help us deepen out faith and witness the universality of our faith, and the Bishops were happy to celebrate it together with hundreds of thousands of Pilgrims from all over the world.

 

This year’s theme, “You are the Salt of the Earth”, reminded us that we are called to centre our life on the Christian values in order to eradicate the evils of our society, such as corruption and immoralities of all sorts, and to promote good governance and reconciliation in a multi-party society.

 

Martyrs’ Day this year was followed by the Celebration of the Feast of Pentecost. The Bishops invoked the power and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to guide them during their Plenary.

 

The Plenary was opened by His Excellency Archbishop Christopher Pierre the Nuncio to Uganda. In his message, he conveyed the greetings of the Holy Father, and encouraged the Bishops to continue guiding the flock amidst the challenges of global relativism, which undermines also in our country the genuine human values rooted in God our Creator.

 

Among the many topics on the agenda, the Conference focused its attention especially on the following three main areas:

  1. The Charter for Priestly Formation which spells out the Vision and Mission of training our future priests, the main evangelizing agents in Uganda was revised and completed.

 

  1. General Yearly Reports: The reports from the various Commissions and departments of the National Secretariat were discussed. They reflect all the programmes and initiatives carried out throughout the year, from the national level down to each diocese in the country.  They also present future plans for the approval of the Bishops who commended the good work done. We highlight only some initiatives and programmes

 

{     Caritas: Caritas, both at national and diocesan level, has carried out and is still promoting many projects in order to uplift the standard of life of our people, especially the poor.

 

{     Education: The recent publication of “Reflections and guidelines on the education of the human person” illustrates the Catholic vision and perspective on education. They are meant to inspire and help teachers, parents and students towards a system of education more centered and focused on the person.

 

University Chaplaincies. The work done in Universities by our Chaplains is highly appreciated.  However, we note with concern that where Chaplaincies are not recognized, services to the University Community face serious challenges.

 

Uganda Martyrs’ University- Nkozi [UMU]. The Conference has noted with pleasure the growth and progress of UMU during these 13 years. They also realize the necessity of reviewing and reviving its original inspiration and direction, in order to enable it respond to the needs of the 3rd Millennium as a faith-based Institution.

 

{     Health: In our Health Programmes, we have noticed big challenges and difficulties in the partnership with the government. The delegated funds are not increasing, despite the many emerging needs in the Health Units.

 

The remuneration of our Church Workers in the Health Units is not sufficient, while that of the government workers is increasing. This leads to staff turnover and poor services. We hope for better understanding and cooperation from the Government.

 

{     Justice and Peace:-

IDP Camps: We note with concern that, while reports in the media give a positive picture that most people in IDP Camps are returning home, the reports we are getting on the ground tell us that the way decongestion of Camps and the resettlement of IDPs is carried out is still far from answering the tragic plight of the people.

 

Briefings from the Bishops of the areas affected indicate that there is need for the Government to join efforts and plan together with the Church Leaders.

 

Good governance:

The Bishops congratulate the Government and welcome the Members of the 8th Parliament, hoping that their actions will be inspired by the God-given human rights and values. This will fulfill our national motto “For God and my Country”.

 

Government and Parliament are called upon to pursue vigorously meaningful programs for true reconciliation at all levels, to ensure regular civic education and to strengthen democratic institutions. The Episcopal Conference appeals to both individuals and government to focus on serving the needs of our people, fighting immorality and corruption and making sure that corrupt leaders be brought to justice.

 

  1. Elections: The Statutes of the Episcopal Conference require that its leadership be elected every four [4] years. The Plenary has therefore voted in the new leaders and the office bearers of the various commissions of the Conference, who will be in charge up to 2010. The Bishops thank the outgoing office bearers for a work well done, assure full cooperation with the new Chairmen of the various Commissions and wish them well in the task entrusted to them for the good of the people in Uganda.

 

The following is the list of the newly elected together with their offices.

 

 

 

THE EXECUTIVE BOARD, COMMISSIONS and departments OF THE UGANDA EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE

 

Term of Office: from June 2006 to June 2010

 

1.        Executive Board:

i.        His Eminence Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala    -           Patron

ii.      Rt. Rev. Matthias Ssekamaanya         -           Chairman

iii.    Rt. Rev. Frederick Drandua                 -           Vice Chairman

iv.    Rt. Rev. Joseph Willigers                     -           Member

v.      His Grace John Baptist Odama           -           Member

vi.    Rt. Rev. Egidio Nkaijanabwo               -           Member

vii.  Rt. Rev. Joseph Antony Zziwa                        -           Member

viii.            Rt. Rev. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga    -           Member

ix.    Msgr. Dr. Francis Ndamira                   -           Acting Secretary General

 

Commissions and Departments

 

2.        Finance Commission:

Chairman                       :           Rt. Rev. Joseph Willigers

Vice Chairman              :           Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira

 

3.        Pastoral, Liturgical Commission:

Chairman                       :           Rt. Rev. Christopher Kakooza

Vice Chairman              :           Rt. Rev. Robert Muhiirwa

 

4.        Lay Apostolate  Commission (Youth & Adult):

Chairman                       :           Rt. Rev. Denis Kiwanuka

Vice Chairman              :           Rt. Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha

 

5.        Justice and Peace Commission:

Chairman                       :           His Grace John Baptist Odama

Vice Chairman              :           Rt. Rev. Robert M. Gay

 

6.        Catholic Medical Commission:

Chairman                       :           Rt. Rev. Egidio Nkaijanabwo

Vice Chairman              :           Rt. Rev. Henry Ssentongo

 

7.        Education Commission:

Chairman                       :           Rt. Rev. Joseph Antony Zziwa

Vice Chairman              :           Rt. Rev. Charles M. Wamika

 

8.        CARITAS - Uganda

Chairman                       :           Rt. Rev. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga

Vice Chairman              :           Rt. Rev. Joseph Franzelli

 

9.        Priestly Formation Commission:

Chairman           :                       Rt. Rev. John Baptist Kaggwa

Vice Chairman  :                       Rt. Rev. Paul Kalanda

 

10.   Social Communications Commission:

Chairman           :                       Rt. Rev. Joseph Franzelli

Vice Chairman  :                       His Grace Paul Bakyenga

11.   Ecumenism Commission:

Chairman           :                       Rt. Rev. Albert Edward Baharagate

Vice Chairman  :                       Rt. Rev. Martin Luluga

 

12.   Inter-Religious Dialogue:

Liaison Bishop  :                       Rt. Rev. Deogratias Byabazaire

Assistant             :                       Rt. Rev. Joseph Oyanga

 

13.   Doctrine Commission:

Chairman           :                       Rt. Rev. Deogratias Byabazaire

Vice Chairman  :                       His Grace James Odongo

 

14.   Missionary Animation Commission (Pontifical Missionary     Societies):

Chairman           :                       Rt. Rev. Adrian Kivumbi Ddungu

Vice Chairman  :                       Rt. Rev. John Baptist Kakubi

 

15.   HIV/AIDS Focal Point & Global Fund Initiatives Management Unit [GIFMU]

Liaison Bishop  :                       Rt. Rev. Joseph Mugenyi

Assistant             :                       Rt. Rev. Barnabas Halem’Imana

 

OTHER national INSTITUTIONS

 

 

i.        Uganda Catholic Social Training Centre:  Rt. Rev. Joseph Antony Zziwa

 

ii.      St Augustine’s Institute

Director                                        :           Rev. Fr. Simon Peter Kyambadde

 

iii.    Liaison Bishop for AMSRIU

Chairman                                                :           Rt. Rev. Robert Gay

Vice Chairman                           :           Rt. Rev. Christopher Kakooza

 

iv.    Interservice [Board]

Chairman                                                :           Rt. Rev. Joseph Willigers

 

v.      Uganda Martyrs University

           

      Chancellor                                  :           Rt. Rev. Matthias Ssekamaanya

 

Chairman, Governing Council            :           Rt. Rev. Joseph Antony Zziwa

 

Bishop Representatives                       :           Rt. Rev. John Baptist Kaggwa

                                                      :           Rt. Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha

 

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------

+ Paul Bakyenga,

Archbishop of Mbarara, &

Outgoing Chairman

Uganda Episcopal Conference

 

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SG/241/2006

 July 21, 2006

PRESS RELEASE

A CALL FOR PRAYERS AND PENANCE

The Catholic Bishops through their Chairman, Bishop Matthias Ssekamanya call on all Catholics and people of good will to join the Holy Father Benedict the XVI on Sunday July 23, 2006 to pray for an  immediate cease fire between the warring factions of Israel and Lebanon.

 

“The Holy Father is following with great concern the destinies of all the peoples involved, and has proclaimed this Sunday, July 23, 2006 as a special day of prayer and penance inviting the pastors and the faithful of all the particular Churches, and all believers of the world, to implore from God the precious gift of peace.”

 

The Pope hopes that prayers will be raised to the Lord for an immediate ceasefire between the sides, for humanitarian corridors to be opened in order to bring help to the suffering people, and for reasonable and responsible negotiations to begin to put an end to objective situations of injustice that exist in the region.

 

Uganda Episcopal Conference joins the Holy Father and urges all Catholics, Religious Institutions, and people of good will to join him and pray for the restoration of peace in the Holy Land.

 

The Pope notes with concern the unjustifiable violation of human rights and of justice brought about by the conflict, resulting from the pitiless killings of civilians.

 

The Catholic Church in Uganda prays that peace and sanity returns to the Holy Land and that the Almighty God touches the hearts of all that are involved to calmly resolve the conflict.

 

We invite all media to participate and raise awareness of this appeal.

  

Msgr. Dr. Francis NDAMIRA,

ACTING SECRETARY GENERAL.