Clare
The Bishop of Fort Portal Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Robert K. Muhiirwa Akiiki, is set to officially open the Jubilee Year in the Diocese tomorrow, December 29, 2024, at Bukwali Parish in Fort Portal City.
In his address yesterday at Bishop’s Day, Bishop Muhiirwa explained that following Pope Francis’s historic opening of the Holy Door on December 26, 2024, for the Jubilee Year 2025, the Holy Father requested all bishops to replicate this gesture in their respective cathedrals to mark the beginning of the Jubilee Year for their communities, under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.”
The Bishop noted that the celebrations will not take place at Virika Cathedral, as initially expected, due to ongoing renovations but rather the event will be held at the nearby Bukwali Parish.
Fort Portal’s local ordinary encouraged all Christians, priests, religious leaders, and people of goodwill to attend as they inaugurate the Jubilee Year, emphasizing that it is a time of hope for all people facing hardships, including those struggling with depression, suicide, illness, pandemics, and other challenges and noted that the event will serve as a moment of hope for healing and recovery.
Earlier this week, on December 26, 2024, Pope Francis made a historic visit to Italy’s Rebibbia prison, where he opened a “Holy Door” in the prison chapel to mark the beginning of the 2025 Catholic Holy Year. This marks the first time a pope has opened a Holy Door in a prison.
The Holy Door, one of five that will open during this Jubilee year, symbolizes hope. In his remarks, Pope Francis urged inmates, guards, and staff not to lose hope, even in the most difficult times. The Catholic Jubilee, focusing on peace, forgiveness, and hope, officially began on December 24, 2024, and will continue until January 6, 2026. Holy Doors are only opened during these special Holy Years, which occur once every 25 years.
According to the Social Communications Commission Fort Portal Diocese, tomorrow’s Holy Mass will begin at 10 a.m. at Bukwali Parish.
