The Auxiliary Bishop of Fort Portal Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Bishop Joseph Mugenyi Apuuli 75 years, has today, July 8, 2023 retired from active Church duties.
His resignation, was accepted by Pope Francis today at around midday via email and announced by Bishop Robert Muhiirwa to the congregation gathered at the thanksgiving Mass for Yerya Parish at 75, in Bunyangabu District.
Speaking briefly after the public notice of his retirement, Bishop Emeritus Mugenyi hailed Bishop Muhiirwa for the good working relations and all Christians for rendering him support throughout his 24 years of Episcopate.
He, however, noted that his Episcopal journey has not been smooth following his physical frailty that resulted from his leg injury, but God enabled him to successfully go through it all.
The process of his resignation he noted , was quickly attended to unlike some who are always to hold on .
“Shortly after clocking 75 years, I started on the process of resignation by writing to the pope in June and it took the Bishop only 3 days to have it worked upon. I’m glad the request has quickly been granted ” Remarked Mugenyi
Bishop Emeritus Mugenyi, was however quick to note that his retirement does not exclude him from all church activities, and that he will still do the manageable clerical duties.
Bishop Mugenyi ( Now Emeritus)Speaks Out on his retirement today at Yerya
The former Auxiliary Bishop, added that he wrote to the Pope in early June about his resignation, and he is glad that the official retirement document has been delivered to him shortly after.
What the Church law shows
According to Canon law 401, a diocesan bishop who has completed the seventy-fifth year of age is requested to present his resignation from office to the Supreme Pontiff, who makes provision after he has examined all the circumstances.
His brief Biography
Bishop Joseph Mugenyi Sabiiti, the Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Fort Portal, and Titular Bishop of Maximiana in Numidia was born on 9th May 1948 in Nyansozi. He was ordained a priest at 27 on 1st June 1975 and ordained a bishop at 51 on 24th April 1999.
The man of God was then appointed the Titular Bishop of Maximiana in Numidia on 2nd January 1999 and Auxiliary Bishop of Fort Portal Diocese.
He has retired as the Auxiliary Bishop of Fort Portal Diocese today July 2023 after Pope Francis accepted his resignation.
