Author Archives: Communications Commission

The Anti – Human trafficking campaign launched in Kasese Diocese

By: Sr. Sarah Muhindo and Felex Sengiyunva

Religious Sisters of the Holy Cross have launched the Anti – Human trafficking campaign in Kasese diocese.

The Anti – Human trafficking campaign was launched on Sunday 23rd June 2024 by the Religious Sisters Of the Holy Cross under their Umbrella , Association Of Religious In Uganda (ARU) in the Diocese of Kasese during a gathering that aimed at sensitizing community members about the rising cases of human trafficking, in Kisinga.

This activity attracted a massive audience after the anti-human trafficking committee had made partnership with Kasese Guide Radio. The network used Kasese Guide Radio staff to stage a live local play , commonly known as “Omukekera” against human trafficking which attracted thousands of people that was their target audience to pass their information.

Sr. Semerita Mbambu , Diocese of Kasese during the launching exercise, asked the young people and those who have fallen victims of human trafficking, to get skilled courses within their home country that will help them to sustain themselves than going to oversees for jobs where they end up being mistreated ,and others murdered.

The Association of Religious Sisters In Uganda ,ARU is running various religious networks funded by the Conrad Hilton Foundation, where The Anti – Human trafficking network and campaign lies, spearheaded by the Sisters Of the Holy Cross who have formed different committees in all the Nineteen Catholic Dioceses In Uganda.

The United Arab Emirates is a destination country for men and women that are mostly trafficked for the purposes of labor according to research.
Women from Uganda, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Pakistan, and the Philippines travel willingly to the U.A.E. and Arab states of the Persian Gulf to work as domestic servants, but some subsequently face conditions of involuntary servitude such as excessive work hours without pay, unlawful withholding of passports, restrictions on movement, non-payment of wages, and physical or sexual abuse at the hands of their employers.

In 2014 March, Pope Francis launched the Interfaith Global Freedom Network to fight human trafficking with Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby and initiated the Santa Marta Group, an international coalition of senior law enforcement chiefs and leaders of the Catholic Church working with civil society to end human trafficking. He also developed the #End Slavery movement to investigate how human trafficking can be eliminated.

Catholic social teaching proclaims the dignity of the human person and the sanctity of all human life. Each person is made in the image of God, is loved immeasurably by Him, and has inherent worth.

“I shall not Recommend any Seminarian to join the Major Seminary if I realize he forgot Catechism” ,Bishop Kibira Of Kasese Diocese.

By: Felex Sengiyunva

The Bishop of the Diocese of Kasese Rt. Rev. Francis Aquirinus Kibira Kambale has Urged the faithful to have Catechism on their finger tips.

Presiding over the confirmation ceremony where he administered a sacrament of Confirmation to more than 200 Catholics, today morning at Our Lady of Assumption Kasese Cathedral Parish in Kasese Town, Bishop Kibira said catechists have done and are still doing the catechism but Christians tend to forget the teachings.

He challenged parents of the confirmats saying that Not even them, still recall the ten commandments or even the Sacraments, tasking them to buy catechism books for themselves and their children so that it serves as a tool to keep them reminded about their faith.

He added that he will not allow or recommend any seminarian for admissions to Katigondo or Uganda Martyrs Major Seminary Alokolum, or other Major Seminaries if they cannot recall or recite prayers, Mysteries of the Rosary , Ten commandments or any other Teaching they learnt during their catechism trainings, pledging to introduce catechism lessons at the Diocesan St. John’s the Evangelist minor seminary Kiburara, to ensure that every seminarian is well trained, before going ahead with a Priestly formation journey.

*Bishop talking to priests about catechism and seminary formation*

Emphasizing this same issue, the prelate tested the candidates before their confirmation, with questions from the catechism to prove their readiness to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. The questions were about listing and reciting the ten commandments, what
Holy sacraments are, which the candidates he randomly chose, passed well and were gifted with applause to them and their respective catechists since they were from different sub parishes which make up the Cathedral parish.

Referring to the Bible readings of the day, he encouraged christians to strengthen their faith in order to attract the Holy Spirit , receive the Gifts and God’s presence in their lives.

“There is no challenge you are facing that is Beyond God’s power, it’s just because of our little or complete lack of faith that we suffer. He is able to heal and Provide for us in every way and with everything if we trust him” Bishop Kibira emphasized.

Bishop Kibira finally Called on Christians to Always seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary who is the mother of the Church and Mother of Christians because she’s the channel of every good thing they need as Christians.

End.

FIVE SEMINARIANS ADMITTED AS SERIOUS CANDIDATES FOR HOLY ORDERS IN THE DIOCESE OF KASESE

By: Sr. Sarah Muhindo and Felex Sengiyunva

*Seminarians with the Bishop After Instruction and Admission*

On Saturday the 15th June 2024 was the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary which happens to be the Patron saint’s day of Hima Catholic Parish, in the diocese of Kasese. Hima Parish had a special celebration for this feast as it has always been celebrated annually.

*Hima Parishioners in procession with the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, prior Mass*

The Bishop of the diocese of Kasese the Rt.Rev.Francis Aquirinus Kibira was the chief celebrant during the holy mass.In this Celebration, Bishop Francis admitted five Seminarians to Serious Candidacy of the Holy Orders.

*Rt. Rev. Francis Aquirinus Kibira celebrating the Sacrifice of the Mass*

They are the following; Seminarians Mbusa Rusiano of Kyalhumba Parish, David Bwambale Kitabu Parish, Bwambale Robert Mathande from Kasanga, Mikanyu Phillip of Nsenyi and Seminarian Asaba Rodrick of Ibanda Parish. Five seminarians including Sem. Mikanyu Phillip and others are expected to be ordained deacons on the Diocesan Priestly Ordination Day due on 29th June 2024 that will be held at St. John’s the Evangelist Seminary, Kiburara and the rest, in 2025.

According to the Official letter released from the Bishop’s Office, for this year’s Ordination, Three Deacons will be Ordained to Priesthood while five Seminarians, will be ordained as deacons of the Church.

On the same function, the Bishop Commissioned Six new and fresh catechists in Hima parish who also committed themselves to do God’s work and preach the Faith to the People of God. The catechists committed themselves to serve faithfully and generously in order to make all know Christ.

*Commissioned New catechists in a photo with the Bishop*

His Lordship Aquirinus Kibira Kambale delivering his Homily, emphasized the continuous love and closeness to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

He said that with Total devotion and call for her intercession, the Blessed Virgin Mary is the source of every blessing because she never ceases to pray for all those who call on her.His Lordship Praised Hima priests and Parish Council Members for organizing the celebration in a vibrant, unique and glorious Style especially the most humorous procession of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Priests and the entire Christian community, prior Mass.

Bishop Kibira finally Called on Christians to Always call on the Mother of the Church the Blessed Virgin Mary through songs, tasking the Seminarians and Catechists to always call on her intercession and their Vocation for faith will be easy and joyful.

*A Glorious Procession and How vibrant the Celebration was.*

Explore and Meditate through more gallery of the Function. It was Glorious and Memorable.

Images📸: Felex Sengiyunva

Kasese Diocese ‘s Mt. St. Mary’s Hospital prepares to hold it’s first ever and free Urogynaecological Camp

By: Sr. Sarah and Felex Sengiyunva

*One of the first Medical and Admission blocks-Mt. St. Mary’s Hospital – DOK*

Mt.St Mary’s Hospital – Diocese of Kasese is organizing a “free of charge” four Days health camp that will begin officially on 1st up to 4th July 2024 at the Hospital in Kasese Town.

The Hospital Administration informs that the forthcoming Health camp is in a special way organized to manage conditions like Urine incontinence due to tears during childbirth or delivery, Stool incontinence and Fistula, Genital Prolapse and other genital tract related abnormalities.

*Official Poster about the Forthcoming Camp – Released by the Hospital Administration*

“The camp they called “Urogynaecological” regarding the above conditions will be free of charge in treatment of Victims, Transportation and Meals for strictly patients only, for all the four days of the camp, whereby Next of Kins to patients will provide for themselves” the administrator assured.

The hospital administration, therefore, calls on the public to turn up for this free service, especially those with the health conditions mentioned in order to restore good health and save their marriages and lives.

BRIEFLY ABOUT MT. ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL – DIOCESE OF KASESE:

Mt. St. Mary’s Hospital – DOK was founded some years ago during the disastrous Floods that hit Kasese District, to serve as a rest place and rescue of patients providing shelter to the Internally Displaced people and patients from Kilembe Mines Hospital that was swept off by the Floods.

The Hospital was officially launched and opened to operate, in November 2023 by The President of the Republic of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who was represented by Hon. Raphael Magyezi the Minister Of Local Government.

The Well performing and ranked Health Facility is fully under the Administration of the Catholic Diocese of Kasese and managed by Banyatereza Sisters.

Based on Key Values of Providing the most professional general Medical care services to the People in the District, neighbors and the entire country.