UGANDA HOSTS THE MISSIONARY CONGRESS OF 100 YEARS OF PONTIFICAL MISSIONARY UNION.

By; Jjunju Francis

The Missionary Congress of 100 years of Pontifical Missionary Union PMU and the 50 years of Vatican II Decree, “AD GENTES DIVINITUS-( Church’s missionary activity) has opened at Pope Paul Memorial Hotel Ndeeba with a reminder to the Catholics to be true missionaries.

The Four day congress that has drawn PMS Directors from African was officiated by the Chairman Uganda Episcopal Conference Archbishop John Baptist Odama, who said that the Catholic Church has to show the world an example of oneness with humility respect to all races, tribe and all peoples.

Archbishop Odama noted that if the world could know God as each individual’s neighbour, love would be at the center and incidents of war, greed for power that has forced many into exile as refugees would not be existent.

He said Uganda among other countries is tested in political leadership citing the recent fracas in parliament that it depicted a nation less of gospel values that require respect for humanity and ideas.

Arch Odama said 130 years of Christianity in Uganda should mean serious ideas with a society that can read and interpret the tenets of the gospel messages which emphasise love, obedience, service above self and conversion.

The Chairman for Episcopal Commission for Missions Rt. Rev. Bishop Damiano Guzzetti the ordinary of Moroto Diocese said missionary work calls for special attention to the poor, the afflicted citing Karamoja region the area of his mission where after solving the challenge of weaponry the communities are now plunged into a battle of alcohol which is spoiling their future. He called on priests to take missionary work to such places to help in evengelising life

The National Director Pontifical Mission Societies in Uganda Fr. Phillip Balikudembe said the conference is a check list for their activities and as far as AD GENTES DIVINITUS is concerned.

The main discussants at the conference included among others the Pope Nuncio to Uganda Archbishop Michael A. Blume, Bishop of Kiyinda Mityana Rt. Rev. Joseph Anthon Zziwa, Prof. Peter Kasenene and Fr. Fernando Dominguies MCCJ General Secretary St. Peter the Apostle.