By Isaac Tayebwa,
REGIONAL
The Catholic church is in sombre mood after news of the death of Kabale Diocese Iconic Priest Rev. Fr. Vincent Kanyonza who passed on Thursday.
Fr. Kanyonza according to Bishop Callist Rubaramira passed on Thursday morning at Our Lady of Good Counsel Hospital Rushoroza.
“The bishop of Kabale Rt. Rev Callist Rubaramira regrets to announce the death of Fr Vincent Kanyonza that occurred at our lady of good health Rushoroza today June 2th 2022.” Bishop Rubaramira announced.
Born in 1929 at Muyumbu Village, Kyanamira Sub County, present-day Ndorwa East Constituency in Kabale district, Fr. Kanyonza has died at the age of 92yrs.
According to the Diocesan records, F
Kanyonza was ordained a priest on 6th December 1959, and was to celebrate 63yrs in priesthood in December.
The deceased commonly referred to as grandfather by fellow priests from the diocese is remebered to have contributed to the growth and development of education system within the catholic church. He for instance was among the great founders of two giant single female’s secondary schools like Immaculate Heart Girl’s School and Maryhill High School in Kabale Diocese and Mbarara Diocese respectively.
He was also among the people that helped in the translation of the English Bible into Runyankole-Rukiga local languages.
At the time of his death, Fr Kanyonza was staying at the Administration House, Rushoroza cathedral, the headquarters of Kabale Diocese in Kabale.
Kanyonza was ordained priest under the White fathers and brothers of Christian’s Instructions at Kisubi along Entebbe.
In 1930, as a young boy, he decided to convert to catholicism leaving his family which was a strong Anglican faith. But, his the news of his conversion was strongly opposed by his siblings. However, his father welcomed the idea and advised him to follow his uncle and aunt to the catholic faith.
In his life’s journey discussions, Fr Kanyonza is remembered to have publicly said that he was binspired by Fr Stokeman at Rushoroza to join priesthood.
Last week, the priest conducted an interview witn NTV and the interview aired on the Television’s News bulletin known as NTV Weekend Edition. To some catholics, the televised interview was a meant to bid farewell to the christians.
Christians and fellow priests have deacribed Fr. Kanyonza as a generous and kind man of God.
In a condolence message, Bishop Rubaramira disclosed that Fr. Kanyonza will be laid to rest on Saturday 4th June 2022, at Rushoroza Hill at 12pm. May His Soul Rest iIn Peace.
