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Evangelical Orthodox Church defends use of Roman Catholic vestments
Jerold Gliege, leader of the Evangelical Orthodox Church. PHOTO BY JOSEPH KIGGUNDU
What you need to know:
- Bishop Kibuuka also said since he was installed in the Evangelical Orthodox Church, more than 9,000 people have been baptised in a period of nine months.
- “Our church is doing a great job, so I call upon church leaders to stop the church wars and focus on serving Jesus Christ,” he said.
Wakiso. The global leader of the Evangelical Orthodox Church (EOC), Patriarch Jerold Gliege, has defended Bishop Jacinto Kibuuka and other servants for dressing up like Roman Catholics during mass.
Patriarch Gliege, who is on a pastoral visit to Uganda, said they are justified to wear the same vestments as the Catholics.
“These vestments are windows for the divine. Many churches have used them. Both the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church have used them. They are one of those things that the Church calls helpful tradition,” he said.
Bishop Kibuuka was expelled from the Catholic faith two years ago after he disobeyed orders from Kampala Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga.
Following the expulsion, Fr Kibuuka set up the Mamre International Prayer Centre in Namugongo, Wakiso District, under the supervision of the Evangelical church.
Fr Kibuuka and his colleagues have, however, come under attack for using the vestments usually reserved for the Catholic Church.
Bishop Gliege, who installed Bishop Kibuuka in the Evangelical Orthodox Church, came out strongly on those who claim to be the sole owners of the liturgical garments (vestments).
Symbolic
He said liturgical vestments are the traditional garments of the church since they symbolise baptism and the Kingdom of God.
Early this year, the Uganda Catholic Lawyers’ Society on behalf of Roman Catholic Church filed a suit seeking to stop the EOC church, in particular Bishop Kibuuka, from singing the Divine Liturgy in Roman Catholic vestments.
Patriarch Gliege, however, said their church places its self firmly in the Apostolic Faith, urging those who doubt them to test them.
“An Apostolic faith calls for Trinitarical doctrine, perceives Jesus in both humanity and divinity, stand on issues of morality, marriage, sexuality, love for mankind and humanitarianism and that is what we stand for,” he said.
“And yes, we are a sect as much as other churches are, to some extent. After all, the only church is Jesus Christ. We shall stand with any church that observes trinitary baptism and faith and we offer communion to all who wish,” he said while at Mamre International Prayer Centre in Namugongo.
Bishop Kibuuka also said since he was installed in the Evangelical Orthodox Church, more than 9,000 people have been baptised in a period of nine months.
“Our church is doing a great job, so I call upon church leaders to stop the church wars and focus on serving Jesus Christ,” he said.
