Catholic Bishops postpone annual plenary due to Covid-19

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Catholic Bishops under Uganda Episcopal Conference have postponed their annual plenary due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has entered the second phase leading to a surge in infections in the country.

The Uganda Episcopal Conference is the Assembly of the Catholic Hierarchy in Uganda that is constituted with the approval of the Holy See. Bishops use the Uganda Episcopal Conference to express their collegial responsibility through collective action and ensure the progress of the Church and coordination of its social and pastoral ministry.

Usually, the decisions taken by the conference give guidance to the Catholic Church or even the entire country. Sometimes, when there is a pressing issue, the Bishops issue pastoral letters to communicate their official stand on a particular matter.

Members of the conference usually take advantage of the Uganda Martyrs day fete to meet since this is one of few times when all Bishops converge in one place. Their plenary, which normally lasts for a week takes place at St. Augustine institute, Nsambya.

Bishop Antony Zziwa, the chairperson of the conference, who is also the ordinary of Kiyinda-Mityana confirmed that the plenary has been postponed. He revealed this while delivering a speech during the Uganda Martyrs Day celebration fete at Namugongo.

Bishop explained that unlike in the past where they would attend the plenary before or after Martyrs’ Day mass, this year they have advised Bishops to stay in their respective sees.

Only Bishops from the ecclesiastical province of Kampala attended the Eucharistic mass. These included Masaka Diocesan Bishop Serverus Jjumba, who animated the Mass, Bishop Zziwa and Christopher Kakooza, the Bishop of Lugazi Diocese.

Others in attendance were Mathias Ssekamanya, Bishop Emeritus of Lugazi Diocese, Bishop Paul Ssemwogere of Kasaana-Luwero, and Apostolic administrator of Kampala Archdiocese and His Excellency Most Rev. Luigi Bianco, the Apostolic Nuncio in Uganda.

Besides the limit on the number of prelates, Namugongo Catholic Shrines, which usually hosts thousands of faithful on such a day, was almost empty. At least 500 hundred people attended this year’s fete while others were following the processing in their respective homes.

Conversely, Bishop Zziwa used the moment to announce 26 June as the day when Fr. Raphael Wokorach, newly appointed bishop of Nebbi Catholic diocese will be consecrated and installed.

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