About eight Bishops are expected to arrive in Fort Portal diocese today April 19, ahead of their annual pastoral visit as ordinaries of Mbarara Ecclesiastical Province.
The expected Ordinaries, include His Grace Lambert Bainomugisha ArchBishop Mbarara Ecclesiastical Province, Bishop Robert Muhiirwa of Fort Portal diocese, Bishop Aquirinus Francis Kibira of Kasese diocese, Bishop Vincent Kirabo of Hoima, Bishop Callistus Rubaramira of Kabale diocese and Bishop Joseph Mugenyi the auxillary Bishop of Fort Portal.
The other Bishops of the province like Archbishop Emeritus Paul Bakyenga and Bishop Eigidio Nkaijanabwo can also attend, but can also be exempted from attending, regarding their physical ability to be available.
Why the visit
According to Fr.Charles Oyo the Pastoral Coordinator Fort Portal diocese, the visit is not really new much as it is in the diocese in Fort Portal.
The Bishops keep on rotating amongst their diocese, they have been in Kabale, they have been in Mbarara and last year they were in Kasese and now here they are for the same cause. Noted Fr. Oyo
Further notable to him , the visit is meant to foster Unity and solidarity amongst the ordinaries of this very province, set a ground for internal discussions as they fodge a way to jointly overcome challenges being faced in church in the contemporary world.
Reportedly, in a world challenged with homosexuality threats, political unrest and others the Bishops come together to sympathize with each other and establish ways on how best they can come about them.
Fr.Oyo, added that importantly, the Bishops will come together in prayer emulating disciples prayer with Jesus in the upper room at the holy Eucharist.
The five days visit he added,will further have the men of God tour around some Key places of the diocese including Katosa the origin of Martyr Adolfudivo Tibeyirwa also a gazetted place for pilgrimage, Nkuruba resort , Priests retirement home in Virika among others.
Other Visits
The selected parish to be visited in by the ordinaries, includes Kyarusozi the only Holy Cross Parish in Fort Portal diocese.
According to the Bishop’s communicated program, the bishops will say mass to Christians in Kyarusozi followed by three speeches on Saturday April 22.
At the Climax of the pastoral visit, will be Holy Mass presided over by His Grace Lambert Bainomugisha, who will also mark his first time in Virika Cathedral as the 2nd Arch Bishop of Mbarara Ecclesiastical Province.
On this note, Fr Oyo has invited all Christians to turn up in big numbers and receive the joint Ecclesiastical blessings.
