2016-03-12 12:49:00

New Parish in honour of Pope Francis’ visit to Uganda


The Archdiocese of Kampala in Uganda has announced the institution of Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine as a full Catholic parish in honour of Pope Francis’ visit last year. Pope Francis visited Munyonyo, the location where the Uganda martyrs started their journey towards the place of execution at Namugongo. When he visited Munyonyo, Pope Francis blessed the cornerstone for a new Church. He also met catechists and teachers of the country.

The creation of Munyonyo as a parish was announced by the Archbishop of Kampala, Cyprian Kizito Lwanga. When Pope Francis visited Munyonyo, the road leading to the shrine was also re-named ‘Pope Francis Road’ after the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) supported the name change.

Archbishop Lwanga said that Munyonyo has been created as a parish in remembrance of Pope Francis’ pilgrimage to the shrine during his visit in November last year. On his first-ever visit to Uganda, the Pope also made a pilgrimage to Namugongo where he celebrated the 50th anniversary of the canonisation of the Uganda Martyrs – an event delayed for a whole year in anticipation of the Pontiff’s visit.

Archbishop Lwanga has thanked the Christians of Nsambya, Ggaba and Kibuye-Makindye parishes for their support towards Munyonyo over the years. The Franciscans, a religious congregation, are in-charge of Munyonyo parish. It will be the 64th Catholic Parish in Kampala Archdiocese.

The Uganda Martyrs were canonised in Rome on 18 October 1964.

Saints Andrew Kaggwa and Denis Ssebuggwaawo were killed at Munyonyo where the new shrine is being constructed while Pontiano Ngondwe was killed at Kyamula where St Pontiano Ngondwe sub-parish is located.

(Juliet Lukwago in Kampala)

Email: engafrica@vatiradio.va








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