A Catholic priest in Ntungamo Town has asked Christian pilgrims not to abandon the Martyrs Day sacrifice just because the government suspended the walk to Namugongo over Ebola.
Instead, he urged them to ‘walk in faith’ and redirect the money for transport, food and time toward church projects or helping neighbours.
Speaking during the Pre-Martyrs Day Mass at Sacred Heart Ntungamo Town Catholic Parish, Rev Fr John Baptist Tumusiime said hundreds of pilgrims think government stopped them, without seeing God’s test in it.
‘Walking to Namugongo is an event, the sacrifice is the faith one gets in the walk, we can still have the sacrifice, walk in the heart and come to church, cerebrated the mass and give all you wanted to use for the walk, transport, food, time and the same thing you wanted in the walk will be done to you,’ Fr Tumusiime said.
The Dean of Ntungamo Catholic Deanery said the parish will still celebrate Masses for the Holy Martyrs Day and encouraged Christians to use the moment to donate and turn to God. ‘We are walking to Namugongo, even those who never had a chance to walk there, our Namugongo shall be in our churches, we shall cerebrate two masses on the day, walk from home to church, we shall also use the opportunity to have the walk to mass and that will be your day, the martyr’s day. Let’s remember how holy the walk is by walking in our hearts,’ he said.
At St Mathew Cathedral Kyamate, South Ankole Diocese Bishop Rt Rev Nathan Ahimbisibwe cautioned Christians against failing to give what they had prepared. ‘If you swear that you will give to God, let what you have sworn be given. The story of Ananias and his wife in the bible (Acts 5:1) reminds us that it’s better not to prepare to give than prepare and not fulfil what you have already prepared,’ Bishop Ahimbisibwe said.
The nine Catholic parishes in Ntungamo have organized different Masses for Martyrs Day, while Anglican churches have lined up overnight prayers and fasting.
At All Saints Church in Ntungamo Town, Parish Priest Rev Ezra Mwesigwa said the church organized a 24-hour dry fast for able Christians ‘in remembrance of endurance of the Christian martyrs.’ The prayers will also be offered ‘for the end of the Ebola pestilence,’ he said.
Rev Augustus Ainebyoona, the Diocesan Missions and Outreach Coordinator, said prayers will be held in all parishes with a focus on resilience and full salvation under the provincial theme, ‘anchored in Christ for peace, unity and development.’
Every year, over 1,000 Catholics and at least 500 Anglican faithful walk from Ntungamo to Namugongo for Martyrs Day. This year, none of them will make the journey due to government restrictions aimed at controlling Ebola.