Clare
Hope and faith have once again filled the hearts of believers in the Fort Portal Diocese as they joyfully gathered for a pilgrimage to their beloved Cathedral, which has been newly restored after a year of renovation.
The faithful made their way to the Cathedral with joyful lips, following the official opening of the Holy Door by Bishop Muhiirwa, after Engineer Deo Katekere handed over the final touches of the project to him.
Blessing rather than Redicating
During the Cathedral Inauguration Vigil prayers held at the Virika Cathedral today evening, Bishop Robert K. Muhiirwa Akiiki, Fort Portal’s local ordinary emphasized that tomorrow’s official opening and blessing of the Cathedral serves as a reminder of April 21, 1968, when the Cathedral was originally consecrated by Cardinal Rugambwa. He explained that, just like Baptism, the Cathedral cannot be re-consecrated or re-dedicated, regardless of any renovations.
The Bishop also shared that, under the guidance of the Papal Nuncio H.E Luigi Bianco, the Diocese will now commemorate April 21st each year as a solemn feast in all parishes.
“In some of our previous writings, we have referred to the Cathedral as being ‘re-dedicated,’ but this is technically incorrect. Based on guidance from the Papal Nuncio, the consecration of a Catholic church is akin to baptism—one cannot be baptized twice. Moving forward, the Diocese will observe April 21 as a significant day, marking the consecration of our Cathedral.” Explained Bp Muhiirwa
He praised the renovation team, led by Msgr. Mayombo, for their outstanding work, as well as the believers for their tireless financial contributions and the pilgrims who attended the event.
Bishop Muhiirwa encouraged the faithful to use such pilgrimages as an opportunity to listen to the voice of Christ, renewing their hearts and emulating His own journeys, which remind us of our oneness with Him.
Virika Cathedral an Original Piece
Msgr. Isaiah Mayombo Adyeri, who led the renovation efforts as a Chairperson, explained that the initial delay in the renovation, which was announced in 2022, was due to a shift in focus from merely repairing the roof to addressing the need for a more comprehensive overhaul of the Cathedral, necessitating adjustments to the budget.
He also highlighted the Cathedral’s design, noting that the original plans, influenced by the Second Vatican Council, were crafted with an emphasis on the artwork inside the church. This artwork was sourced through the Makerere University Department of Art, under the guidance of Professor Tod, as requested by Bishop MacCauley.
Msgr. Mayombo expressed that while the delay extended the renovation period, it was ultimately worthwhile, resulting in a beautifully restored Cathedral. He urged the faithful to consider a spiritual renewal to match the beauty of the physical space.
Relatedly
Virika Cathedral’s Original Modern Look Regarded as a Lasting Legacy of Bishop McCauley
Clare
The Holy Cross community has praised the Diocese of Fort Portal for preserving the legacy of the unique Virika Cathedral architecture, which was first introduced by the Diocese’s first bishop, Rt. Rev. Joseph McCauley (Servant of God), a member of the Congregation of the Holy Cross.
Speaking to Jubilee Radio, Rev. Brother John Flood CSC, who worked closely with Bishop McCauley, expressed his appreciation for the Diocese’s significant investment in maintaining the cathedral’s distinctive and unique structure whose design was inspired by Italian architects in 1967, who also designed the Ggaba Seminary plan.
Brother Flood further shared that Bishop McCauley had always sought the best for the Diocese. Although the structure raised concerns among believers in 1987 due to a leaking roof, who were afraid of getting the replacement roof, the Diocese’s ongoing efforts to preserve it in a modern way have been commendable.
He added that unlike other buildings where it’s difficult to fully monitor what’s taking place , the Virika Cathedral’s unique design makes it particularly valuable, and the Diocese has been committed to advancing Bishop McCauley’s legacy and vision.
Our Lady of Snows Virika Cathedral, located in Fort Portal, Uganda, was completed in 1967 and consecrated on April 21, 1968, by Laurian Cardinal Rugambwa, the Archbishop of Bukoba, Tanzania, awaiting the blessing tomorrow March 2, by Papal Nuncio to Uganda, H.E. Luigi Bianco.
The cathedral has undergone several renovations, including in 1987, 2004, and more recently in 2023 and 2024 which is said to be long lasting
