The five point message
The Rt. Rev Bishop Robert Muhiirwa the ordinary of Fort Portal diocese, in an Easter address delivered to thousands of worshipers in a press briefing and in his homily at Virika Cathedral, called for “Vigilance to the spread of HIV/AIDs” and cautioned that the laxity within people could lead to a higher HIV Prevalence rate.
The Empty Tomb
The 2022 Easter was celebrated under the theme ‘why look for the living among the dead’ (Lk 24:1-12) where two women announced the news of empty tomb to the disciples, Having been told by the Angels that Jesus had risen.
The words of the Angel gave encouragement to the women and disciples as well who came to confirm that Christ had risen from the dead.
Bishop encouraged Christians to have faith trust and hope in the risen Lord who was hung on the tree but conquered sin. He notes that the rising of Jesus from the dead is a foundation of Christian faith citing St Paul’s letter to the Romans 6:4,which says in Baptism we die with Christ, and start a new life.
Bishop Muhiirwa thus says Christians should therefore learn to give their lives to Jesus in cases of all sorts of challenges and have hope.
HIV/AIDs, Covid-19 & other challenges
The bishop noted the current situation world wide which includes Covid-19 and its devastating effects while cases are decelerating. He stated that the disease is still in existence but appreciates the efforts to curb it down, appealing to the public not to despair, for Covid-19 will come to an end.
Bishop Muhiirwa stated that the HIV/AIDs prevalence in is worryingly on an increase in Kabarole including Fort Portal city 14.6% with an average of 5.5% at a national level rank where by Kyenjojo district takes up to 7.73%solely.
This according to him, HIV/AIDs is high and indicates laxity among people who have resorted to loosening up their dear lives. He thus appealed to the marrieds to be extra faithful to their partners, and advised the unmarried to embrace the virtue of purity, as a way of preventing the spread of HIV/ AIDs.
The bishop appealed to people to watch out for risky behavior like late-night discos, aimless and unnecessary visits that might be tempting.
Inflation in Uganda
With the current situation where commodity prices are gradually rising higher on a daily as attributed to the rise of fuel price, Bishop Muhiirwa called upon people to watch out their expenditure behavior and ‘cut the cloth according to its size’
Children in Holidays
He has also called for collective efforts with parents and Headteachers to negotiate and come to terms of allowing payments in installments following the hard economic situation after Covid-19
Bishop, requests parents to be patient with their children and protect them as much as they can, citing an example of the ever highest number of teenage pregnancies registered in 2020,a result of closure of schools when covid-19 was at its verge.
He called for calm among parents, school leaders and children amidst this hard economic situations given the limited time given to students who are required to go back with school dues.
Fort Portal diocese leads Martyr’s day at Namugongo
Bishop Muhiirwa further states that Ibn is required in anticipation of a successful day at Namugongo as Fort Portal leads.
He noted that their hope as Christians for a successful day regardless of the limited time given to prepare, follows that of the martyrs who were young but had hope in Jesus and also worked together.
Bishop believes that with unity, the required money will be raised, and other facilities will be secured but noted the rate at which money is coming in.
He thus calls upon all people to respond positively to the cause so as they mark a successful day after 25 years of not leading.
Bishop Muhiirwa delivers his 2022 Easter Message.
Mean while, the Holy Father Pope Francis, as part of his Easter message via tweet, advocates for love, as we reflect on Jesus’ wounds.
The wounds on the body of the risen Jesus are the sign of the battle he fought and won for us, won with the weapons of love, so that we might have #peace and remain in peace. pic.twitter.com/GVgQvBODaQ
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) April 17, 2022
