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PRESS RELEASE PILGRIMAGE OF BISHOPS TO ROME From the 28th of February to 9th March 2010, 26 Catholic Bishops of Uganda will be in Rome. This is a very important event for our Church in this country. You may remember that in 1992, 1997, and 2003, similar pilgrimages of your Bishops took place. Such events are known as “VISIT AD LIMINA”. They are pilgrimages to the TOMBS of Sts. Peter and Paul, two apostles who are teachers and symbols of Authority and Faith in the Church founded by Jesus Christ. The visit Ad Limina is a long–standing practice in the life of the Catholic Church. Its deeper meaning is the expression of communion and solidarity which exists within the Church members and in a special way communion and solidarity with the visible head of the Church, the Holy Father. During their stay in Rome they will concelebrate Masses in the four Major Basilicas, namely, St. Peter’s, St. Paul’s, Mary Major, and John Lateran. They will be received as a group and individually by the Holy Father. They will share their experiences as leaders of the Church in Uganda with members of various Congregations (ministries) and Commissions/Councils which assist the Holy Father in serving members of the Church and the World. Evidently they will seek advice from leaders of those organizations. The Bishops wish to assure you of their prayers for each and all and for our country; but they also ask for yours. +Matthias Ssekamanya Dated: February 24, 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PRESS STATEMENT We, the Catholic Bishops of Uganda, appreciate and applaud the Government’s effort to protect the traditional family and its values. The Catholic Church is clear in its teaching on homosexuality. Church teaching remains that homosexual acts are immoral and are violations of divine and natural law. The Bible says that homosexuality is strictly forbidden [Lev. 18:22] “Do Not lie with a man as one lies with a woman, that is detestable”, “Furthermore, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “Homosexual acts are contrary to the natural law, and under no circumstances can they be approved” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No: 2357). However, the Church equally teaches the Christian message of respect, compassion and sensitivity; The Church has always asked its followers to hate the sin but to love the sinner. Considering the fact that all are called by God to fulfill his Will in their lives and to repent of their sins (Mk 1:14-15)“After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Homosexuals have the need of conversion and repentance. They also need support, understanding and love as all strive to be members of the Kingdom of God. The recent tabled Anti-Homosexuality Bill does not pass a test of a Christian caring approach to this issue. The targeting of the sinner, not the sin, is the core flaw of the proposed Bill. The introduction of the death penalty and imprisonment for homosexual acts targets people rather than seeking to counsel and to reach out in compassion to those who need conversion, repentance, support, and hope. The Bible says in Luke 6:36-37 “Be merciful just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.” Furthermore, the proposal to prosecute those who fail to disclose information regarding homosexual acts puts at risk of the breach of confidentiality and professional ethics of persons such as Parents, Priests, Counselors, Teachers, Doctors and Leaders, at a time when they offer support and advice for rehabilitation of homosexuals. The proposed Bill does not contain clauses encouraging homosexuals to be rehabilitated. As a Catholic Church, we have a mission to reach out to all of the people of God as Christ showed no one is beyond God’s mercy and love, “In Mt. 9:10-13, while Jesus was at table in his house, many tax Collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus…. Jesus saw this and said, Those who are well do not need a Physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy not sacrifice, I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” The criminalizing of such outreach is at odds with the core values of the Christian faith. Additionally, in our view the proposed Bill is not necessary considering that acts of sodomy are already condemned under section 145 of the Penal Code. +Cyprian K. Lwanga Solutions: Attitude: God hates sin, but loves the sinner. Jesus died to redeem sinners. We ought to show mercy to homosexuals as God does (Luke 6:36). Homosexual tendencies are combined with or linked to other psycho-pathologies; whereby therapy must be oriented to the deeper causes. Actively promote ex-‘gay’ ministries for the treatment of homosexuality. Homosexual persons are entitled to pastoral care and respect but that care must make clear the Church’s position, which is that homosexual acts are immoral and cannot bring happiness. Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom. Let them access counseling, prayer and trust in the grace of God for conversion. Human sexuality must be seen as an essential dimension and expression of bodily existence that communicates with God and with fellow humans in reverence and friendship. Hope and example for recovery of the sacredness of the human body have been ushered in by the sacrificial offer of the body of Christ and by his resurrection. He lives with a spirited, glorified body. [cf. the Transfiguration: (Matthew 17:1-13) Establish laws that reaffirm family life. e.g. a policy that requires schools to teach children age-appropriate lesson about thinking about marriage and how to be the best husband or wife possible so that the generation coming up will be immune to the homosexual agenda. Parenting by both parents is a must for a balanced maturity. While we appreciate the homosexual agenda to be a direct attack on human values and morals, we differ with the anti-gay bill in those sections where the sinner is demonized. Capital sin militates against the inalienable right to life from womb to womb. The bill is also wanting in those sections where failure to report a homosexual cast attracts imprisonment. Such clause jeopardizes pastoral ministry and contravenes the priestly oath of confessional secrecy. The same objection applies to medial ethics. Without addressing those sensitive areas, the bill might polarize society or even end up exonerating advocates of homosexual agenda. ........................................................................................................................................................ The Catholic Clergy and Political Offices As Bishops of the Catholic Church in Uganda, we would like to remind our clergy, Religious and the Laity, and to inform the public at large, that a cleric, i.e. a Deacon, Priest, or bishop, is forbidden to take on political office. †Rt. Rev. Matthias Ssekamanya Dated: Thursday, March 12, 2009
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