Prime
Parliament pays tribute to Pope Paul VI
Parliament yesterday paid tribute to Pope Paul VI by approving a motion to recognise his contribution to the spread of religion in Uganda, a country he visited when he became the first Pontiff to visit Africa in 1969. AFP PHOTO
Parliament yesterday paid tribute to Pope Paul VI by approving a motion to recognise his contribution to the spread of religion in Uganda, a country he visited when he became the first Pontiff to visit Africa in 1969.
The motion seeking a resolution of Parliament to pay tribute to Pope Paul VI, who is now a Saint in the Catholic Church, was moved by Amuru District Woman MP Lucy Akello in the presence of dozens of Catholic bishops, who observed the proceedings of the House from the distinguished guests’ gallery.
Ms Akello said Pope Paul VI’s visit to Uganda contributed to the development of faith in the country because he canonised the 22 Catholic Martyrs, which led to the declaration of June 3 as the Uganda Martyrs Day.
She also argued that Pope Paul VI should be honoured together with the then Archbishop of Kampala Joseph Kiwanuka with whom they did a lot to the Christian faithful.
“It is important for this Parliament to honour Pope Paul VI and the late Archbishop Joseph Kiwanuka and that government installs monuments to commemorate their work in Uganda,” Ms Akello said.
Seconding the motion, Ruhinda North MP Mr Thomas Tayebwa said the works of Pope Paul VI in Uganda contributed highly to the spiritual development in the country.
First Deputy Prime Minister Gen Moses Ali said the government is committed to ensuring religion spreads without any inconveniences.
“I also want to pay tribute to the Missionaries who brought religion. I don’t know how Uganda would be without these people (Missionaries) coming, and now we are peaceful because they prayed for the country,” Gen Ali said.
The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Ms Betty Aol Ochan, urged MPs to sensitise masses on how to bring up religious children who will restore values in the country.
Background
Pope Paul VI, who headed the Catholic Church, and served as the sovereign of the Vatican City State from June 21, 1963 to his death in 1978, was in Uganda at the end of July and the beginning of August in 1969.
More than 400 Catholic bishops from Africa and Madagascar are in Uganda to celebrate the golden jubilee of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), a mission that was launched at Rubaga Cathedral by Pope Paul VI on July 31, 1969.
