The bishop of Fort-portal catholic diocese the right Rev. Dr. Robert Muhiirwa has rallied youth in the entire diocese to abandon acts of sexual immorality, drug abuse and stop being taken by material things.
According to the bishop many young girls have joined prostitution, early marriages and abortions while boys are driven by alcohol, Marijuana and sexual immorality hence calling for change of behaviors.
Bishop Muhiirwa made the remarks while attending a Youths conference at St. Adolf Ongoing Formation Training Center Mukabura in Fort-portal. The conference was organized by the members of the Jesus Youths Catholic Movement who were celebrating ten years in Uganda.
He challenged youths to emulate the example of Uganda martyrs that were killed by Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda in 1885-1887 after disobeying his orders. The Kabaka wanted them to denounce Jesus Christ and promote homosexuality among other evils.
Rev. Fr. Tobby Musinguzi the Youths Chaplain Fort-portal diocese asked members to attract their colleagues to join Jesus Youth movement for the nourishment of their faith in the Catholic Church.
Ronald Mbowa the national Jesus Youth Coordinator said the Jesus Youth is a good movement which can offer better spiritual lifestyle for the youth of all ages thus requesting parents to persuade their children to join.
Bridget Karungi the national organizing committee chairperson said they celebrate 10years of existence in Uganda since July 2010 and Fort-portal diocese was chosen to host because it is where the movement started.
Joseph Mwesige the Fort-portal diocese Jesus Youth coordinator told our reporter that the movement had its beginning in Kerala India. It grew as an active part of the catholic charismatic renewal of the state in the late 1970. In 1985 the international year of youth a number of youth groups came together under a single name “Jesus Youth” hence spreading to different parts of the world including Uganda.
Mwesige says that Bishop Muhiirwa was inspired to bring the movement to Uganda and encourages its youth to follow a lifestyle of Jesus Christ based on what it calls six pillars. Personal prayer, Word of God, Sacramental life, Fellowship, Evangelization and Option for the poor.
The daylong ceremony attracted youth from the parishes of Fort-portal diocese and movement leaders at national level while other members from countries of India, Bangladesh, and Dubai among others attended online via zoom and YouTube.
Bridget Karungi added that they had planned for mega national celebrations at St. Leo’s College Kyegobe targeting close to 1000 youth from all the dioceses of Uganda and neighboring countries but was affected by covid-19.
This is soo amazing,
Am the ED for a youth Led organization and A member of Girls Not Brides international.
Am exited about the Teaching and Initiatiatives to support young people