By Jennifer A. Okech
The long awaited grand Uganda Catholic Charismatic Renewal (UCCR) Golden Jubilee National celebrations finally came to pass. Climaxed by a seven-day conference at Namugongo from Sunday June 30 to Saturday July 6, thousands flocked the Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine, Namugongo to celebrate and be spiritually nourished. In attendance were delegates from about 28 African countries and three countries outside Africa.
The UCCR National Spiritual Director, Fr David Byaruhanga, opened the conference with a reminder to all to persevere and have faith, just like Jairus, whose daughter got healed and the woman with the challenge of blood who also got healed because of faith and perseverance.
The Golden Jubilee celebrations were four events in one; with the conference at Namugongo being the face and climax of the grand event. The other three events were the International priests’ fraternity retreat at the National Seminary in Ggaba, with over 550 priests in attendance, the All African youth leadership conference and the Pan African continental service of Communion leaders meeting in Namugongo.
There was representation from different Dioceses: Tororo Archdiocese represented by Karamoja sub-region, Soroti Diocese, Mbarara Archdiocese, Gulu Archdiocese, and Kampala Archdiocese. The Mass processions at the Conference were filled with great joy, passion, zeal, creativity and energy. It was so infectious, that one couldn’t help but join in the dancing, singing and praising of the Lord. Speaking about Baptism in the Holy Spirit at the Conference, Bishop Scot McCaig, a guest Bishop, noted that with baptism of the Holy Spirit, Jesus gives us new power to overcome sin in our lives and new power to break the stronghold of sin.
He added that Jesus stirs up the Holy Spirit in our lives so that we can serve others and the Church. In his homily on day 3 of the conference animated by Tororo Archdiocese, Soroti Diocese Bishop, Rt Rev Joseph Echiru Oliach, urged the congregation to share with everyone the baptism of the Holy Spirit. While emphasising that the mission has just began, he warned all that the renewal movement should never die in their hands.
One of the facilitator of the Conference, Rose Kifa also noted that: “At 50 years, we are no longer babies. We must raise the standard of people…Let us work…There should be greatness and excellence in all we do…” Similarly, Bishop Anthony Zziwa, Chairman Uganda Episcopal Conference emphasised that Christians should be a channel through which Uganda is changed for the better of all, not being the promoters of corruption. “We should not ask for conditions when God gives us talents…Use your talent to serve people. The talents and gifts the Holy Spirit gives us is for us to serve the Church and the people around us, not just ourselves,” he implored.
Msgr Expedito Magembe during his ‘Burning hearts’ teaching at the Conference, reminded the Christians that what we need is constant seeking of God. “If you seek Him constantly, anointing will be poured into your life,” he emphasized. Additionally, Fr John Baptist Bashobora emphasised that we need to listen to God as we seek Him. At the conference, Lira Bishop, Rt Rev Sanctus Lino Wanok, remarked: “At 50 years, the deep water is what Jesus asked Peter to enter. He is calling us to become fishers of humanity. To become fishers of humanity is to throw oneself into God’s deep love. 50 years is taking us deeper.”
The sacrifice of Mass on day 6 was celebrated by Papal Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Luigi Bianco, who reiterated the Pope’s call for Christians to open the door for everyone. “To open the door is to help everyone find a way to enter the house of God…” he said, adding: “We need the power of the holy spirit to be strong during difficulties…Pope Francis tells us to invoke the Holy Spirit to give us strength in our Christian life… The great charism is love, humility, forgiveness and promoting of peace.”
The National Coordinator of CCR in Uganda and coordinator of English speaking Eastern Africa countries, Mr. Robert Tumuhimbise, noted that lay people in the Church are now able to evangelise because of CCR. He was grateful for the support of Bishops in Uganda. On the closing day of the Conference Saturday July 6, Kampala Archbishop His Grace, Rt Rev Paul Ssemogerere, noted that the Charismatic Renewal has shown that the laity can effectively carry out the mission of evangelisation.
“The CCR is teaching us how to walk with Christ joyfully even amidst trials and tribulations, with courage knowing that God is always with us.” He called upon the Christians to seek the intercession of St Maria Goretti, saint of the day and the Uganda Martyrs, as we remember the past with gratitude, live the present with enthusiasm and look forward to the future with confidence.
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR), is an Ecclesial movement of spiritual renewal and transformation in the Catholic Church that emphasises the need for each one to make a personal commitment to Christ as Lord and Saviour and to be empowered by the Holy Spirit for the
glory of God the Father.
