The Catholic Bishops of Uganda have issued a pastoral statement on the occasion of Pope Francis’ pending visit to Uganda which will take place from the 27 to 29 November this year. The Bishops have called on Ugandans to prepare themselves spiritually so that they will be in a fitting state to receive the pope’s blessings.
The Bishops also ask Ugandans to perform acts of charity. “We call upon you to do acts of charity towards the poor and to practice works of penance so that we can all receive the Papal blessing in a worthy manner. Most importantly, let us make every effort to reconcile and love one another as Christ has loved us,” the statement reads in part.
The Bishops have said that Pope Francis is coming to Uganda as a bridge-builder for peace and reconciliation.
“Most importantly, in a country like ours where unity and national consensus has eluded us for decades, the Pope comes as a bridge builder. His visit provides yet another golden opportunity for us Ugandans to be instruments of unity, peace and reconciliation in the family and among the various religious, cultural and political groups. This demands of us to imitate Christ who came to serve rather than to be served, it invites us to be servants to one another,” the statement reads.
The pastoral statement is signed by the Archbishop of Gulu, John Baptist Odama, who is President of the Uganda Episcopal Conference.
Adapted from Vatican Radio website; https://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/10/07/pope_francis_comes_to_uganda_as_a_bridge_builder/1177428#
