By Sr. Sarah Muhindo DST

Laudato Si’ is an encyclical of Pope Francis published in May 2015. It focuses on care for the natural environment and all people, as well as broader questions of the relationship between God, humans, and the Earth. The encyclical’s subtitle, “Care for Our Common Home,” reinforces these key themes.

An encyclical is a public letter from the Pope developing Catholic teaching on a topic often in light of current events. Laudato Si’ is addressed to “every living person on this planet” (LS 3). Hence, it is offered as part of an ongoing dialogue within the Catholic Church and between Catholics and the wider world.

Laudato si’ (Praise Be to You) is the second encyclical of Pope Francis. The encyclical has the subtitle “on care for our common home”.In it, the pope critiques consumerism and irresponsible development, laments environmental degradation and global warming, and calls all people of the world to take “swift and unified global action.”

The encyclical, dated 24 May 2015, was officially published at noon on 18 June 2015, accompanied by a news conference. The Vatican released the document in Italian, German, English, Spanish, French, Polish, Portuguese and Arabic, alongside the original Latin.

The encyclical is the second published by Pope Francis, after Lumen fidei (The Light of Faith), which was released in 2013. Since Lumen fidei was largely the work of Francis’s predecessor Benedict XVI, Laudato si’ is generally viewed as the first encyclical that is entirely the work of Francis

The Holy Father called for an ecological conversion in response to the many ecological crises facing the planet.

As a result of the 2015 Pope Francis’ encyclical, the Church has encouraged all Catholics to embrace a commitment to ecological conversion. As a result, every parish and diocese around the world needs to be involved in a plan to ensure this encyclical is promoted.

As a way of implementing this encyclical, Kasese Guide Radio has started a new segment in the name of ‘Laudato si in order to fulfill the Pope’s dream. The radio management has asked Caritas Kasese department to champion this. Caritas Kasese will on every Tuesday of the week be given a free airtime platform on Kasese guide Radio to talk about the laudato si, how different people of God can go about and what should be done in order for this dream to be fulfilled.

Laudato Si’ helps us reflect about things related to the planet—the world that we share,” Caritas staff explained to the listener of Kasese Guide Radio “It tries to influence us to change our lifestyle.”

Published in 2015, Laudato Si’ addresses the consequences of climate change, the culture of waste, the extinction of species, and various other environmental concerns. 

The catholic diocese of Kasese through the two diocesan commissions of Caritas and Communication through the radio has the zeal to ensure the laudato si message reaches every Christian and is put into practice. Their dream is that every small Christian community gets a demonstration.

Catholic Social Teaching is about economic conditions for all people and also the solidarity of all of us in mankind and how we are all interconnected,”

By Kule Kennedy

The Ordinary of the Diocese of Kasese, Rt. Rev. Francis Aquirinus Kibira Kambale has re-emphasized his earlier call on parents and guardians for guided parenting that would interest children in education against ignorance and poverty.

Bishop Kibira attributed the increased failed marriages and academic challenges among the young people to failure by parents to fulfil their obligations that are pledged before the Altar during the baptism of their children.

In his speech shortly after presiding over holy Mass where he confirmed 355 and opening a Eucharistic Centre at St. Immaculate Catholic Church- Katooke in Rukoki Sub-county. Of the 355 confirmed Christians, one was a disabled lady who also believes her disability cannot stop her from practicing the sacraments of the holy Catholic Church.

 Bishop Kibira attributed the increasing cases of domestic violence, land conflicts and suicide in Kasese district to ignorance as a result of the limited education among many communities in the district. Bishop Kibira speaking ……

Bishop Kibira who is known of his developmental ideas and campaign against laziness, encouraged the planting of avocados after a Germany national established an ointment factory in Kasese that requires the produce at a raw material. Bishop Kibira speaking2.…..  

The Kigoro Sub Parish Head of Laity, Mr. Paul Agaba called for the need of establishing a catholic founded secondary school in the area as way of fighting ignorance among the young people who travel long distance for education.

Earlier, Bishop Kibira commended the family of Mzee Bruno who had offered four acres of land to the diocese of Kasese to carry out developmental activities. END

Mbarara ecclesiastical province walk  up today the 18^th June 2023 with  the shocking news of the loss of the Emeritus Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese Paul K.Bakyenga.

The news of Archbishop Bakyenga’s demise was confirmed by Rev.Fr.Charles Mutabaruka the communications director of the Mbarara Archdiocese.

Bakyenga, whose journey as a priest started in 1971 at the age of 27, passed away at St. Francis Hospital, Nsambya. The Emeritus Archbishop  has been in and out of the hospital for the past five years.

The Catholic Church issued a statement today about his demise.

The Archdiocese of Mbarara released a statement conveying the sad news, “The Most Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha, the Archbishop of Mbarara, with deep sorrow announces the death of the Most Rev. Paul K. Bakyenga, the Archbishop Emeritus of Mbarara, which occurred on July 18, 2023 at Nsambya Hospital. The burial arrangements will be communicated later. Let us pray for the peaceful repose of his soul.”

BRIEF PROFILE OF ARCHBISHOP BAKYENGA.

FALLEN ARCHBISHOP PAUL K. BAKYENGA

Paul K. Bakyenga was a fourth born child in the family of 10 children of Sipiriano Kaamuza and Maria Gakibayo of Bumbaire, Igara in Bushenyi district. He went to Ibaare primary school before he joined Ibanda Preparatory seminary school from 1958 to 1960. He then attended pre-primary school in the church building at Bweeza writing on sand and banana leaves.

In 1961 Bakyenga joined Kitabi Seminary from Ibanda and then enrolled at Bukalasa seminary for his A’level studies but did’t complete. The late Archbishop then enrolled for Katigondo National seminary to do his philosophical studies. Later he was sent by the Bishop John Baptist Kakubi to Scotland to do theological studies at St.Andrews College. Bakyenga was ordained a priest on 11 July 1971 at Mushanga Parish at the age of 27. 

The late Archbishop Bakyenga served in various capacities as a priest including   serveing as Chaplain of Ntare School in Mbarara, Rector of Kitabi Seminary, and Rector of Ggaba National Seminary.

 Bakyenga was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Mbarara, Uganda on 6 March 1989. He was consecrated as bishop on 24 June 1989 at Mbarara by Bishop John Baptist Kakubi, Bishop of Mbarara, assisted by Bishop Adrian Kivumbi Ddungu, Bishop of Masaka and Bishop Serapio Bwemi Magambo, Bishop of Fort Portal.

In 1991, when Bishop Kakubi resigned at the age of 61, Archbishop Bakyenga assumed the role of Bishop of Mbarara. Under his leadership, the Mbarara Diocese was elevated to an archdiocese in 1999, and he became its first Archbishop. He was responsible for overseeing the Western ecclesiastical province, which covers the dioceses of Hoima, Fort Portal, Kasese, and Kabale.

Throughout his tenure, Archbishop Bakyenga provided spiritual guidance and pastoral care to the faithful in the region. His unwavering dedication and commitment to his religious duties have left a profound impact on the community. Archbishop Bakyenga retired from his position in 2020 after serving the church and the people with unwavering devotion for several decades. He was succeeded by Lambert Bainomugisha. END