KAMPALA – Religious leaders across the country used Easter Sunday to call for spiritual renewal among Christians amid the ongoing lockdown over coronavirus.
At Lubaga Cathedral, the seat of Kampala Catholic Archdiocese, Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga urged all believers to be agents of peace. He said just as Jesus Christ defeated death, the country will also be victorious.
Archbishop Lwanga also thanked the media for covering the Mass throughout these days. He thanked the government, medical personnel and all those involved in the fight against COVID-19. He thanked those who have made donations especially those that have brought aid to the Church so that the Church can take care of the needy. He thanked the government for curbing the practice of brutalizing the masses. He urged the people to adhere to the guidelines that have been given to us in this time of COVID-19. He thanked those who have made their homes domestic churches in which the life of faith thrives. He sent condolences to all those who have lost their dear ones especially the family of the Late Dr. Ddumba and Bishop Lambert who lost his father on 9th April, 2020.
At Noah Cathedral in Kiyinda-Mityana Catholic Diocese, Bishop
Jseph Antony Zziwa, who is also the Chairman Uganda Episcopal Conference, warned Ugandans not use this period to exploit others. He cited some of the traders who have hiked prices of essential commodities, saying they should stop.
At Mt Sion Prayer Centre Bukalango in Kakiri Town Council, Wakiso District, Rev Fr Expedito Magembe, the head of the Charismatic movement in Kampala Archdiocese, urged believers not to fear, saying Christ Jesus has defeated evil through his resurrection.
In Masaka Catholic Diocese, Bishop Serverus Jjumba prayed for all victims of Covid-19 and said through pray the pandemic will be defeated .
“Instead of people going to bars to celebrate Easter , God has proved to the whole World that this day belongs to Him and all believers in a special way should reflect on this day and return to Him ,” he said.
In Mbarara Catholic Archdiocese, Rev Fr John Baptist Bashobora, the head of charismatic group, urged Christians to be agents of change in society just as Jesus Christ’s apostles who witnessed His death and resurrection.
In Ankole Anglican Diocese, Bishop Sheldon Mwesigwa called on Christians to unite against all evil forces just as the country has done on the coronavirus pandemic.
“The evil forces of pride, arrogance, hate, selfishness against our fellowmen, family breakdown had succeeded God’s will for mankind. Look! super countries who used to pride about their health care system and super economies are lost of solutions to this pandemic, a lesson that we are equal and deserve same treatment which is God’s will for mankind, ” Bishop Mwesigwa.
In South Ankole Anglican Diocese, Bishop Nathan Ahimbisibwe praised the government for containing coronavirus.
“Yesterday we saw three people being released, and they also announced that the other 15 shall be released on Monday, this is a major breakthrough that we must be proud of as a country, soon and very soon this lock down will be no more and Corona virus shall be out of Uganda and the rest of the world, and I tell you this, it shall not be far from today,” Bishop Ahimbisibwe said.
In Mityana Anglican Diocese, Bishop James Bukomeko urged the rich not to use the current lockdown to grab property for the poor.
He said as the country concentrates on fighting Covid-19 pandemic some scrupulous people are busy grabbing property including land, houses, vehicles and many others using illegal methods.
“You should stop grabbing people’s property; the country is in a trying moment where everybody needs each other ,”.he said
He also asked those with money to assist those in needy especially giving them food .
Bishop of Busoga Anglican DiocesePaul Naimanhye condemned Government officials for diverting donations meant for vulnerable persons and families in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
During his Easter sermon on a local radio station in Jinja on Sunday morning, the prelate urged the Covid-19 national taskforce team to be transparent and ensure that people are well cared for.
