Archbishop Paul K Bakyenga (Rtd) has expressed extreme sadness because of the increasing number of priests deserting from the Catholic church in Mbarara Diocese.
Speaking at the scientific installation of the new Archbishop Lambert Bainomugisha today at Nyamitanga cathedral Mbarara.
In his words he recalled a message of one of the deserting priests whom he didn’t disclose who wrote urging the Archbishop not to let the Pope beware of his priesthood saying he has no any intentions of returning to the Catholic church.
“There are some priests whom I don’t know about where they’re, even the prodigal son was like that!” Said Stressful Archbishop Bakyenga
He added that; “The Lord doesn’t abandon what He has started, we are the ones who abandon him.”
He appealed to the priests in the Archdiocese to work with the newly installed Archbishop, and to always have special prayers for him.
H.E Museveni, Yoweri Kaguta Musevi, in his speech read by the Minister of Local Governments Hon.Rapheal Magezi, donated a car to the newly installed Archbishop and pledged for government support in his apostolic journey.
Members of Parliament also contributed money worth Ugx 40m meant to support Archbishop Lambert in buying of new households such as furniture among others.
According to Maj General Kahinda Otafire, the Minister for East African Affairs who represented Parliament, Parliamentarians pledged to work with the diocese in the construction of a new Archbishop’s house.
Minister Otafire who first warned people not wearing face masks stated that corona virus is a deadly disease already in the country.
He appealed to all people of God to abide by the set guidelines in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Pope Nuncio to Uganda, Luigi Bianco thanked Archbishop Lambert for accepting Pope FrancisI appointment congratulating him upon his installment as the Archbishop of the Mbarara Metropolitan Province.
The Mbarara Metropolitan Province includes the Dioceses of Mbarara, Kasese, Kabale, Fortportal and Hoima.
Nuncio Luigi Bianco further revealed the Pope’s support to the Archdiocese. He also expressed the Pope’s sincere appreciations to the retiring Archbishop Paul K Bakyenga for the spiritual works done throughout his apostolate as the Bishop and Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese.
Archbishop Bakyenga who retired today will enjoy his retirement at the Bishop’s house St Kagwa Parish in Bushenyi district. He will first have a one month of resting at his ancestral home in Mitooma Sheema district whereafter he will go to Bushenyi.
New Archbishop Lambert Bainomugisha in his memorial speech as the second Archbishop of Mbarara Metropolitan province hailed his predecessors for a good work contributed towards developing Mbarara Archdiocese asking the faithful to keep him in prayers as he pledges the same.
Archbishop Lambert assured the retiring Archbishop of the church’s support in his retirement.
