THREE Roman Catholic bishops from Tanzania are expected to represent the country at a Special Mass in Kampala, Uganda, during the first visit of Pope Francis in Africa slated for November 25 and 30. This will be the pontiff’s maiden tour of Africa since he was elected head of over 1.2 billion Catholics in the world in March 2013. He will visit Kenya, Uganda and Central African Republic (CAR) during the six-day trip.
The Secretary General of Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), Father Raymond Saba, mentioned the bishops to represent the country at the papal visit in Uganda as Desiderius Rwoma of Bukoba, Liberatus Sangu of Shinyanga and Paul Ruzoka of Tabora.
“The three bishops will represent TEC and the country as a whole; this is a very crucial visit by the Pope in Africa,” Fr Saba told the ‘Daily News’ in a telephone interview. A preliminary schedule issued by the Catholic News Service early this month show that the Pope will land in Nairobi, Kenya on November 25 after which he will proceed to Kampala, Uganda on November 27.
“In Uganda, the pope will honour the memory of the 23 Anglican and 22 Catholic Ugandan martyrs killed for their faith on the orders of King Mwanga II between 1885 and 1887,” the news service stated.
On November 28, he will visit both the Anglican and the Catholic martyrs’ shrines at Namugongo after which he will lead a mass for the Uganda martyrs near the Catholic shrine.
The widow of the Father of the Nation, Julius Nyerere, Mama Maria Nyerere, has been among pilgrims to the shrine every June 3, each year, when that country marks the Uganda Martyrs Day, in tribute of the slain Christian devotees. Fr Saba said the visit by Pope Francis is very crucial at this time given hostilities between Christians and Muslims in CAR and after terrorists’ attacks in Kenya.
“Pope Francis has been well known as a pro-poor leader and being able to visit the continent associated with poverty he will send a clear message to the world on how to address the plight of poor people.
“What is more, the tour will bolster even further efforts by the Archbishop of Bangui who has played an active role to quell tensions between the two religious groups in CAR,’’ quipped Fr Saba.
The 78-year old Argentine pontiff, a self-appointed defender of the downtrodden, is expected to give 19 speeches on his 11th foreign trip, meeting with victims of war, child soldiers and AIDS sufferers as well as those who live in extreme poverty.
Culled from Daily News
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