Clare
The Bishop of Fort Portal Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Robert Muhiirwa Akiiki, has inaugurated the Jubilee Year of Hope with a solemn ceremony that included the opening of the Holy Door at Bukwali Parish in Fort Portal City.
The Holy Door
The decision to hold the event at Bukwali Parish, was influenced by the ongoing renovations at Virika Cathedral, as all bishops have been instructed by Pope Francis to celebrate the Holy rites at their respective cathedrals.
Pope Francis visited Italy’s Rebibbia prison on December 24, 2024, to open a “Holy Door” in the prison chapel for the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, marking the first time a pope has done so. The Holy Door is one of five that will open during this Jubilee year, symbolizing hope. Francis spoke to inmates, guards, and staff, encouraging them not to lose hope, especially in difficult times.
In his homily at the Mass marking the start of the Jubilee Year, which was attended by Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Joseph Sabiiti Mugenyi other clergy, religious and Laity, Bishop Muhiirwa encouraged the faithful to embrace the theme of hope and prioritize acts of charity towards their neighbors and the needy. He emphasized that these actions would help restore hope in a world plagued by hatred, epidemics, wars, suicides, hunger, and other challenges.
Bishop Muhiirwa also mentioned that the detailed calendar of events for the Jubilee Year, including various programs, was still under review by the Pastoral Office and would be made available to the public soon.
Christians advised on Family
Reflecting on the scriptures for the day, which coincided with Family Day, the Bishop urged the congregation to recognize the importance of family highlighting the need to honor aging parents, respect spouses, and maintain harmony within families.
He addressed the alarming rise in divorce rates in Uganda, which was reported in the previous day’s New Vision, expressing concern over the challenges faced by families, including domestic violence and other issues. He warned that the devil is actively working to disorganize families and encouraged Christians to follow the example of the Holy Family of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, who lived in harmony and worked diligently for their survival.
To address the increasing number of divorces, Bishop Muhiirwa advised those preparing for marriage to seek proper guidance during their courtship. He recommended participating in church programs like Cana for both singles and married couples, which aim to nurture strong, loving relationships and build peaceful families and couples to seek guidance from the rightful sources to thrive.
Rev. Fr. Moses Mutangirizi, the Parish Priest of Bukwali, expressed gratitude to the Bishop for choosing their parish to host the sacred rites of the Jubilee Year of Hope. He encouraged parishioners to embrace the year with faith and hope, trusting that their prayers would be answered as they contribute to planting hope in the world.
It is noteworthy that several bishops across Uganda have followed Pope Francis’ call to open holy doors under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope” as part of the Jubilee Year 2025.
