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Luweero, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Right Reverend Lawrence Mukasa has been consecrated and installed as the third Bishop of Kasana Luweero.
The Bishop’s seat fell vacant in December 2021 when Pope Francis appointed Right Reverend Paul Ssemogerere to replace the late Cyprian Lwanga as the Archbishop of Kampala.
On April 29th this year, Pope Francis picked Reverend Monsignor Lawrence Mukasa, the Vicar General of Kiyinda Mityana Diocese to replace Right Rev. Paul Ssemogerere as Bishop of Kasana Luwero Diocese.
On Saturday morning, Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere led a mass where he consecrated and installed Lawrence Mukasa as the third Bishop of Kasana Luwero Diocese.
Before the consecration, the Archbishop asked the Luwero Diocesan Chancellor Cyril Kasigwa to read Pope Francis’ letter appointing Mukasa as Bishop before he invited him to take an oath.
Archbishop Ssemogerere thereafter invited the Papal Nuncio Luigi Bianco and all Bishops present to lay their hands on Mukasa for blessings as a sign of shared powers.
He also smeared chrism oil on his head as a sign of blessings, handed him the Bishop‘s ring and later a bible to preach the Word of God. Archbishop Ssemogerere also handed over a crosier and mightier before he installed Mukasa as Bishop of Kasana-Luwero.
Thereafter priests and church staff representatives pledged their allegiance to the newly installed Bishop. Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere congratulated the installed Bishop and reminded him of the three tasks awaiting him, which include teaching the Word of God, celebration of sacraments and Governing Christians through the promotion of communion in the church.
He also warned him of challenges in the Diocese, which include poverty, HIV/AIDs, Land grabbing and human sacrifice among others. He appealed to Christians and Clergy to welcome and embrace Bishop Mukasa.
Bishop Anthony Joseph Zziwa, the Chairperson of the Episcopal Conference expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for rising Rev. Mukasa to the episcopate.
Zziwa asked Mukasa to maintain the vibrancy set by his predecessors and keep the church alive amidst challenges narrated by Archbishop Ssemogerere.
On behalf of the episcopal conference, Bishop Zziwa also pledged support and pray for Bishop Mukasa so as to fulfill the work entrusted to him. He asked the Christians of Kasana-Luwero to cooperate with the new Bishop.
Bishop Mukasa’s motto was unveiled as ‘It’s the Lord’. He gave thanks to his predecessors for laying a solid foundation for the Diocese and thanked Bishop Zziwa for his mentorship.
He promised to renew cooperation and collaboration with the Government for the betterment of people in the area. He also asked Catholics to dedicate their Christian brothers-the Anglicans of Luwero Diocese in prayers so that they also get a new Bishop.
President Yoweri Museveni who was represented by Vice President of Uganda retired Major Jessica Alupo congratulated Bishop Mukasa upon his installation, saying this was testimony of his devotion to church and God. Museveni also thanked the Catholic church for maintaining a cordial relationship with his government and fostering development among the believers.
Alupo handed over a brand new Land Cruiser Prado that Museveni donated to Bishop Mukasa to perform his tasks.
Congratulations Rt. Rev. Lawrence Mukasa New Bishop of Kasana Luweero Diocese.
Installed and consecrated today by His Grace Paul Ssemogerere. pic.twitter.com/ZNUVYRDX2x— Ugandan Catholics Online (@ugcatholics) August 5, 2023
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