Bishop Joseph Gontrand Décoste of Jérémie, Haiti, detailed the ongoing violence in the nation and warned that the Church has become a target for gangs.

The Church is “the last remaining bulkhead — moral, ethical, spiritual, and prophetic,” he said. “That is why they want to eliminate us.”

Décoste told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), an international Catholic pastoral aid organization, that despite the widespread violence in the Caribbean nation, the Church remains hopeful.

“We keep praying, singing, and dancing. In Haiti we say: ‘As long as they haven’t cut off our head, we still have hope of wearing a hat.’ That is why we never lose hope,” he said.

The bishop thanked organizations working to offer aid to the nation. He said: “Your prayers sustain us enormously; without them we could not carry on. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.”

Gang violence in the nation continues to rise with armed gangs controlling between 70% and 90% of the capital.

Amid the violence, in Port-au-Prince, 40 parishes have had to close, according to ACN. Schools and religious houses have also been attacked, burned, and seized.

Sister Paesie, a Catholic sister who operates an organization to aid children in Cité Soleil, Haiti, also highlighted the increasing violence.

The sister and her team at the Kizito Family, which runs homes, schools, and catechism programs, recently took in dozens more children following numerous recent attacks.

Sister Paesie told EWTN News that last week gangs attacked an area in Port-au-Prince where the organization operates one of its schools. Most of the population fled besides a few elderly people who were unable to, and most were killed.

“The parents began bringing children to us for shelter,” she told EWTN News. On Aug. 9, “we took in about 20” and “others came yesterday, and about 50 today.”

“The Missionaries of Charity accepted to take in the girls” and “we have the boys,” she said.

“Among them were four brothers [who] were alone when the attack took place. The parents had gone to work, and a cousin grabbed them and fled. When the father returned home, he was not aware of the attack. He was killed and burned. The mother did not show up … where the people took refuge,” she said.

Sister Paesie also detailed how the attacks and destruction have left organizations, many of them run by religious orders, unable to operate and provide aid to those in need.

She specifically noted a Missionaries of Charity convent that was attacked and burned down two years ago.

It remains “completely empty and the buildings destroyed,” she said. “It used to receive more than 2,000 patients every year.”

Sister Paesie visits the Missionaries of Charity convent in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in May 2026. The convent was attacked and burned by gangs in 2024. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Sister Paesie

U.S. bishops urge protection for Haitian nationals on TPS

U.S. bishops have continuously warned of the unsafe conditions in Haiti, urging lawmakers to extend temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitian nationals living in the United States.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami has previously said that ending temporary residency protections for Haitians would be “sending people into a burning building.”

He said Haiti “remains a country on the brink,” noting the “widespread gang violence and kidnapping, a rampant cholera epidemic, and spreading food insecurity.”

“The lack of functioning state institutions has resulted in a general breakdown of security, with attacks on women and children becoming commonplace,” he said. “It would be an act of abject cruelty for the United States to send families back to such dangerous and unsafe conditions.”

Other Florida bishops, and many Ohio bishops, have also addressed the matter, calling for a more permanent solution to care for the refugees.

By Tessa Gervasini

Attacks by Israeli settlers against the population of Taybeh have intensified significantly in recent months, according to the local parish priest, Father Bashar Fawadleh, who also urged the faithful worldwide to not forget this small Christian enclave in the Holy Land.

Taybeh is the modern name of the biblical town of Ephraim, which the Lord Jesus visited shortly before his passion (see John 11:54). In addition to being the only remaining entirely Christian village in the region, it is also globally renowned for its beer.

“The situation in Taybeh has deteriorated drastically in recent months,” Fawadleh said in a statement sent to ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. “We are facing settler attacks almost daily, repeated incursions onto private property, the destruction of agricultural land, restrictions on movement due to road closures, military barriers, checkpoints, and growing fear among the population,” the parish priest indicated.

Fawadleh explained that this week, settlers broke into a Christian family’s property, a situation he described as “very alarming.” The home, which had recently been prepared for the family to move into, has become a target of repeated attacks by settlers.

“Settlers have entered the property several times, cut the fence, and even brought their sheep inside the house and onto the surrounding grounds. This is not an isolated incident. It is part of a pattern of intimidation intended to make Palestinian families feel unsafe and to force them to abandon their homes and land,” he stated.

The parish priest reported that the affected family is out of danger, as they were not in the home at the time of the attacks. However, he lamented the immense psychological suffering they have endured.

“Imagine preparing your home for your future, only to find strangers repeatedly entering it without fear or accountability,” he said.

“In addition, several new settler outposts have been established around the village, increasing pressure on our community and putting the future of the Christian presence in this land at risk,” Fawadleh added.

A message to Christians around the world

“We ask you not to forget us,” the priest said. While highlighting the miraculous power of prayer, he noted that Taybeh needs more from Christians worldwide. “We ask you to raise your voices, speak the truth, visit us, and stand with the Christian community of the Holy Land,” he emphasized.

He pointed out that the solidarity of Christians across the globe “gives us hope” and “reminds us that we are all one body in Christ.”

“Together, we can help protect these Christians — living witnesses and ‘living stones’ in the land where our faith was born and where the first generation of Christianity was raised up. May God bless you all and keep you safe. Keep praying, and continue the work and the struggles you are engaged in. We are praying for you, too,” Fawadleh concluded.

By Andrés Henríquez

The beatification cause of Servant of God Julius Kambarage Nyerere, Tanzaniaʼs first president, has reached the stage of interrogating witnesses, a Tanzanian Catholic bishop involved in the process said, describing the phase as critical in establishing the late leaderʼs reputation for holiness and heroic virtue.

In an interview with ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, Bishop Henry Mchamungu, the episcopal delegate in Nyerereʼs cause, said the diocesan inquiry is currently gathering testimony about the late presidentʼs life, faith, and virtues.

“We are in the process of interrogating witnesses,” Mchamungu said. “This is a very important stage because we have to ask people many questions to obtain sufficient information about the life, virtues, and faith of Mwalimu Nyerere.”

The bishop, who spoke to ACI Africa on the sidelines of the 21st AMECEA Plenary Assembly of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) July 19–26 in Nairobi, Kenya, explained that the tribunal conducts detailed interviews with each witness.

“Each witness is asked many questions — sometimes one person can be asked 30 or even 40 questions. We have to listen to many witnesses because we need to gather enough evidence concerning his life and his virtues,” Mchamungu said.

Nyerereʼs cause was initiated in 2005 after the late Bishop Justin Samba of the Diocese of Musoma, together with the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), petitioned the Holy See to open the canonization process.

Pope Benedict XVI declared the former president a servant of God on May 13, 2005.

Mchamungu explained that the cause was later transferred from the Diocese of Musoma to the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam.

“The president of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference informed the archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam, who at that time was Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, that the cause should be transferred from Musoma to Dar-es-Salaam,” he explained.

On May 2, 2014, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints issued a rescript authorizing the transfer of the competent forum for the diocesan inquiry from Musoma to Dar es Salaam.

According to Mchamungu, progress slowed after the transfer because Pengo experienced prolonged health challenges.

The process was revived in 2023 when the president of TEC appointed a new postulator to oversee the cause.

“In 2023, it became necessary to revive the cause again,” Mchamungu told ACI Africa. “The president of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference appointed a postulator, who is the person responsible for guiding the cause.”

He noted that the process required further reorganization after the first postulator stepped down for personal reasons.

“We had to look for another person. After some time, we found another postulator who accepted the responsibility. Although he does not live in Tanzania, he agreed to help us continue with the cause,” Mchamungu said, referring to Nairobi-based Brother Reginald D. Cruz.

He acknowledged that the work of the diocesan tribunal remains demanding because its members also carry pastoral responsibilities.

“Everyone has other pastoral duties. Therefore, finding time to meet and conduct the sessions is not easy. However, the cause is continuing after having remained inactive for a long time,” he said.

Mchamungu appealed to Catholics to pray for the progress of the cause, expressing hope that Nyerere may one day be declared blessed.

“We continue asking God that the cause may continue,” he said. “The day will come, God willing, when he will be declared blessed.”

Mchamungu encouraged those who believe they have received extraordinary graces through Nyerereʼs intercession to report them to the tribunal.

“If someone receives a grace through his intercession, that person should inform the tribunal so that it can be investigated and recorded. Later, it can help in the process of declaring him blessed and, God willing, later a saint,” the bishop said.

Reflecting on Nyerereʼs early life, the Tanzanian bishop recalled his close relationship with the Catholic Church before entering politics.

“Before becoming involved in politics, he was a teacher. He taught at St. Francis Secondary School in Pugu, a school that was run by the Holy Ghost Fathers,” he said.

Mchamungu added that the future presidentʼs experience within the Church helped shape his character and approach to public service.

“He was close to the Church and to the priests who managed that school. They knew him and saw that he was a special person, a young man with good values and commitment,” he told ACI Africa.

The Catholic Church leader continued: “Nyerere received many good values from the Church. Those values helped him become a leader who put people before his own interests. That is why many people continue to remember him as an example of leadership with integrity and service to society.”

By Nicholas Waigwa

Fr. Dr. Ruffino Ezama is unmistakable. His kind approach, a great sense of humor, and an easily loveable personality makes him stand out from the largest of crowds. When this Comboni missionary made 25 years as a priest, USA was one of the countries to host part of a series of his celebrations. On July 13th, 2019, as a homilist for Mass for his silver jubilee, I shared with the congregation how the priest fits almost perfectly the day’s gospel of the Good Samaritan. A man for whom color, race, or social status are but only inconsequential accidents that never prevent him from making friends.

Full of impacting life stories, whether of child, adult, woman or man, Ruffino enjoys to share the positives about people he encounters from around the world. With his personable disposition, it is little wonder that his conferees recently elected Ruffino for the top leadership of the Comboni Missionaries in the United States of America and Canada. He is the first African to hold the office of provincial superior for the North American Province (NAP) since inception in 1975.

Many who know the generously selfless Ruffino can attest it was just a matter of time for him to ascend to the helm. He is a people person, one friend describes his character. “Be it the poor or rich, the lowly or the elite, Ruffino has no discrimination when it comes to making friends.” Ruffino’s immediate predecessor Fr. John Converset alluded to the same in his speech, at the reception for the silver jubilee. He said: “If it required simply my decision, I already have handed office (NAP provincial) to Ruffino. He has what it requires to lead. But, let’s wait for our elections, which are coming soon.”

When they did come, the close to 30 Comboni priests of diverse nationalities settled for Fr. Ruffino as their leader for a 3-year term that began January 2020. In his tenure, which is renewable only once, Fr. Ruffino Ezama promises to continue Comboni’s theology of the regeneration of Africa. He plans to enkindle the good in the people whom society has marginalized. “I would like to see more poor people be own agents of transformation toward their full potential,” he says.

Ruffino transferred to the NAP from the Ugandan Province in 2009. As one in mission education, and vocations promotions, he also coordinates mission appeals. In this task, he is responsible for organizing for some conferees serving in less advantaged communities around the world to visit the US and/or Canada for financial appeals for their projects back home. The NAP continues to support hundreds of projects for uplifting Hispanic, African American, Appalachians, and Native American communities living on the fringes of society. Fr. Ruffino intends to make it a priority to continue identifying benefactors to partner with local agents of change for situations like these. Such was the dream founder Daniel Comboni had, to save Africa with Africa – a rejuvenation of peoples.

Born and raised in Maracha District, in West Nile, Ruffino got attracted to joining the Comboni missionaries from some of the members who served in his home parish. One of them, Fr. Jack Rafael Dellagiacoma, with whom he would later serve in the same community, baptized Ruffino as a child. Another inspiration was Msgr. Angelo Tarantino, the first bishop of Arua, who had conferred on him the Sacrament of Confirmation. Others who attracted this youth to the Institute of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus, are Frs. Salvano, and Tonino Pasolini. Ruffino loved to serve at Mass at his local church in Oluvo. He encountered a great tragedy at the age of 9, when he lost his father Simeo Ariga Onya.

The family trudged under the loving care of their dedicated mother, Ursla Draleru Ekaa, whose devotion Ruffino credits for his strong love for the Church, and all peoples. In 2018, however, tragedy struck once more, when his mother also passed on. She had celebrated her 86th birthday. Ruffino is a 1985 graduate of a diploma in Religious Studies at Alokulum Seminary in Gulu. He also attended Katigondo Major Seminary, where in 1988 he graduated with honors for BA in Philosophy. In 1993, he completed his Theology at the Gregorian Pontifical University in Rome. In 1993, Ruffino graduated with a Theology degree with honors. Then, did a Master’s in Philosophy at the same university, where he graduated in 1995.

Msgr. Enzo Dieci, who was Auxiliary Bishop Rome, ordained him a deacon on January 16th, 1994. Ruffino then returned to Arua, where Bishop Frederick Drandua would ordain him a priest of Jesus Christ, on July 16th, the same year. His first assignment was as assistant parish priest at St. Francios d’Assise, in Cotonou, in the Republic of Benin. Later between 2004 and 2008, he served as vocations promotor for the Comboni Missionaries in Uganda.

He was also a councilor on the provincial board, and as well helped out as chaplain for the Prisons facility at Luzira. Ruffino, a fluent speaker of English, Italian, and French, got assigned to the NAP, where he also served as a provincial councilor, secretary to the provincial council, and procurator. At the same time, he was pursuing a PhD in Philosophy, which he attained from Makerere University in Kampala, January 19th, 2018.

Dr. Fr. Edward Kanyike Mayanja is the former Comboni Provincial superior of Malawi/ Zambia province, a position he held for six years, till 31st Dec 2019, when his term ended. He returns home to continue his missionary experience at Philosophical centre in Jinja. Fr. Kanyike was Born on 5th December 1957 in in Kiganwa village in Mityana district. At an early age, he went to live with his grandparents in Sugezi village where he began school at Sugezi Primary School. At the age of 10, he returned to his parents and went to Busubuzi Demostration school where he was until primary six.

His dream to become a priest was realised at his grandmother’s home where he expressed his zeal to be like a priest who was at their sub parish, although he could not understand the priest’s job description. In 1971, he began chasing this dream. He joined Nswanjere Junior Seminary where he sat his primary seven examinations in 1972. In 1973, he was admitted to Kisubi Minor Seminary where he studied for three years, never letting go of his dream to priesthood.

Fr. Kanyike sat his Ordinary level examination at Kisubi. But, he did not proceed to Advanced level, instead he got admission to Alokolum Major Seminary for a Diploma in Philosophy and higher ecclesiastical studies which he combined with Postualancy.

Along the way of his journey to priesthood at Kisubi, he was oriented to become a missionary priest in 1976. After getting in touch with a missionary, Fr. Kanyike picked interest in becoming a missionary. He was told about the charism of St. Daniel Comboni and he chose the Comboni missionaries unreservedly. He would later join another novice Fr. Oparagiu in Kisubi as the first Ugandan novices to do novitiate in Uganda for the Comboni missionaries in 1980. After one year, they were moved to Tartar in west Pokot in North West Kenya. At the end of his novitiate, Fr. Kanyike took his first vows while still in Kenya. He then joined the scholasticate back in Uganda. In 1985, he was ordained a priest at Our Lady of Africa, church, in Mbuya, by the then Papal Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Karie Rauber.

He also advises that one needs to live the experience of faith with people around you. By doing so, one can overcome prejudice, not to curse their weakness by thinking that one’s culture is superior over others

He was then admitted at Ggaba Major Seminary to do a degree in theology. After completion of his degree, he began his missionary work in DR Congo and his first station was St. Camil in Kisangani diocese where he worked for two years, but doing only pastoral work. In the third year, he began teaching at a postulancy in Kisangani. After one year as a formator, Fr. Kanyike joined Faculte Catholiques De Kinshasa for a Master’s degree, which took him three years. At the university, he would combine studies with pastoral work.

After his Master’s Degree, he returned to Kisangani, and began teaching at Institut Edith Stein postulancy for four years. He was then asked to return to Uganda and assigned to Philosophical Centre Jinja (PCJ) where he taught for three years.
He went to Rome in 1999, to pursue a doctorate course in Philosophy at Angelicum University. Upon completion of his doctorate course, Fr. Kanyike was sent to Malawi where he taught for ten years at Inter- Congregation institution Baraka in Mangochi diocese.

Fr. Kanyike revealed that he lived the first five years in Malawi at the parish doing parish work while teaching at the Major Seminary in Kachebere. He was made the dean of studies before becoming a Rector of the major seminary. Six years ago, Fr. Kanyike was elected the provincial Superior of Malawi/ Zambia province a mandate he completed on 31st December 2019.
He added that his Superiors requested him to return to Uganda, to Philosophical centre in Jinja to continue his missionary work.Fr. Kanyike said he enjoyed his missionary experience as a formator for future priests in Congo. He added that, he learnt different languages and cultures while in Congo. He noted that when he sees his students as priests and dedicated Christians, he feels the joy of a parent.

The challenge he faced was adapting to new cultures and languages but he soon found a solution. Fr Kanyike advises that in order not to make people feel like strangers around you, is to love them. That is exactly what he did being a young priest of 27 years. With the experience from Seminary, combined with the life he had chosen to heed to the call from God, his life was made easy.

In Congo, he was referred to as an elder brother by the postulants, because he would not only teach them, but pray and play with them. He would help the postulants solve many of their problems and he helped them to embrace their Christian faith. Fr. Kanyike embraces the role of culture in people’s lives. He picked interest in tradition after learning that behind different things Africans do, culture was behind it.

He noted that while in Malawi, he would go on national Television and teach the Malawians about their culture which made them wonder how he had learnt their culture, easily, and so well. He added that this was an aspect that always brought him joy. The former Provincial Superior said that it is not enough to learn people’s language, but people need to learn culture because language is a bi-product of culture.

Fr. Kanyike did not only embrace the different cultures while outside his country but went as far as leading by example. One time, he had to embrace the Congolese culture by eating caterpillars which came as a shock to him. He also advises that one needs to live the experience of faith with people around you. By doing so, one can overcome prejudice, not to curse their weakness by thinking that one’s culture is superior over others.

After living in Malawi for a long time, it was hard for him to reveal to them that he was leaving. They were heartbroken, but that is who we are; missionaries; spreading the Gospel to all and touching many lives.

Mission ad gentes

Someone once asked me what that word really means and I responded jokingly that I am a “missionary” ad gentes. In fact, we as Comboni missionaries are people prepared for the evangelization in the world; mission ad gentes. Although we always think that it’s only the work of the missionaries to spread the gospel, we have to remember that the church is by its “nature” missionary. In the gospel of Mathew 28:19, Christ sends his disciples to spread the good news to the whole world. Also in his letter to the Ephesians 3:8, St. Paul recognizes the necessity and the concern to preach the gospel not to his fellow Jews, but to the gentiles, “To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.”

The church on exit

We are living in the times of grace where the whole church especially here in Latin America is asked to move out and meet the poor, the most abandoned and rejected people. The Holy Father Pope Francis in these words clarifies this: “I prefer a church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security.” In fact, there is a saying here that: “difficult missions are for the combonis”.

My missionary journey

My journey to priesthood started when I moved from Ibanda to Mbuya parish. For the six years at St. Kizito S.S.S Bugolobi, I saw many Comboni missionaries and this increased my desire for missionary life. In my vocational journey, I had different missionary experiences in Jinja, Zambia-Lusaka and lastly Brazil – São Paulo. There is nothing impossible in this life. St. Daniel Comboni says that “a Comboni missionary needs to fix his eyes on the one who was crucified for us.” After finishing my vocational journey to priesthood, I was posted to Brazil.

Vocational promoter

When I arrived in Brazil, the provincial council of Brazil requested me to assume the responsibility of a vocational promoter and mission animator. I welcomed the new responsibility with faith saying here I am Lord. My missionary work is to search for the youth who are interested in living a comboni missionary life in and outside Brazil.
I move to parishes and dioceses meeting youth groups, celebrating mass and giving testimonies about missionary life. In my missionary journeys when I meet people, the shock remains “Ugandan- African missionary in Brazil”!
Most times, I am meant to answer questions of the kind: are you happy? –YES IAM, do you earn money? – NO, don’t you want to marry? –NO, don’t you miss your parents and family? – I do but am now used. Such are the questions, which many youths are not ready to hear or want to answer.

Current Catholic Church

Although Brazil has for many years been known as the most catholic populated country, there are currently approximately 210 million people of which “64 percent” are would be Catholics. There are also many mushrooming American Pentecostal churches. In the slums where I stay, people like to say: “here a bar may fail, but the church will not”. Our parish has got 13 Christian communities but there are approximately 200 dominations of Pentecostal churches. On the other hand, there are places with dioceses as big as the half of Uganda. The state of Amazonia is like the whole of East Africa. This makes it difficult to reach some places especially where the few ordained ministers/ priests can’t reach.

We recognize that the church in Brazil lacks ordained and religious missionaries. Once I went for a missionary experience in northeast of the country in a certain parish with 50 Christian communities (chapels/ Ebisoomesa) and only one priest to take care of all of them. I remember celebrating in one of the communities and the people had last had a Eucharistic celebration 6 months ago. Just to say that most of the youths in the big cities are not aware of such situations in their country gives my missionary life a lot of work to fulfill.

Youth situation

From the various public events held, I can say that the church in Brazil has many youths. The main concern is that many of these youths are after temporal things. They want quick mass celebrations, but would prefer to be in the nightclubs and parties for many hours. Many times, I have given talks to youths in many parishes about missionary and religious life, just to inspire in them a missionary spirit. Therefore, the need for the great message to the young people: “God loves you. Christ saves you, Christ is alive” (synodic apostolic exhortation Christus Vivit chapter 4 by Pope Francis).

My mission as a missionary priest

I am called to be a witness of God who loves, of Christ who saves and of Christ who is alive so that his good news may be known to the entire world. This is the call to all the youths to change their mentality and begin to embrace missionary life. My stay among the youths is nothing other than to say that missionary life is possible. The Old Testament reminds us of prophet Jeremiah: “I knew you before you were born… and I made you prophet to the nations”. A comboni missionary is called to be a prophet who announces the presence of God in situations of difficulty and lack of faith.

In this missionary month, let us create a missionary mentality as baptized young and old people so that the church of Christ never lacks missionaries in the whole world. This is my prayer. Like St. Paul, I end this experience with these words: “woe to me if I don’t preach the gospel.” Cor 9:16)

Fr. Vincent de Paul Asiimwe MCCJ

Comboni Missionaries Moyo relocated and settled in Moyo, they were resident in Lomin in South Sudan. When the civil war broke out in 2017, they left Lomin and settled in Moyo. While in South Sudan, they run a number of projects to help the people in Lomin improve their livelihood. Not even the war was going to stop these missionaries from helping people around. Soon, they found out that many of the people they were helping in Kajo Keji had settled in the refugee Camps in Palorinya in Moyo district.

This was the best timing for them. They acquired a piece of land in Palorinya close to their people. Their projects have kicked off again and this time unlike before in Lomin, they are making the refugees’ lives a little more comfortable. The projects are transforming the livelihood of the refugees in the nearby camps.The missionaries are running many projects at their property including; carpentry workshop, fabrication and welding workshop, Bakery, cooking oil refinery and a farm.

They employ a number of refugees. Bro Fafa Ayih who is the coordinator of the farm said he pays wages to forty-two people every month. While the carpentry and welding workshops provide employment to the refuges, the bakery, cooking oil refinery and farm subsidies on the refugees’ diet. This is in form of cooking oil and bread which is sold to the refugees. Products like milk and meat vegetables are also sold to the refugees to subsidise on their diet.

Comboni missionaries Moyo farm prides in animal husbandry like; cows, pigs, sheep, rabbits, goats, chicken, ducks and geese, and vegetables. Bro.Fafa explained that the reason behind having the rabbits in the farm is to introduce rabbit rearing to the refugees. While his farm will be used as a model farm for rabbit rearing, Bro. Fafa wants the refugees to begin this project in their homes so that they can earn some money from it and supplement on their income and diet

The spirit of missionary life is displayed by the deeds around the community. The team decided to build a cattle dip next to the road side so that the whole community can benefit from it. Bro. Fafa added that he wants people with cattle from the neighbourhood to bring their cows to the dip. This he added will help reduce diseases among the cows in the neighbourhood.
He said he employs refugees because he wants to teach them to be independent and in the end help them decline from waiting for handouts. He noted that much as the refugees who work at the farm are entitled to lunch every day, they earn little money to supplement on the food they receive from United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). William Lomena is a South Sudanese refuge who lives in Budi Settlement Camp and works at the farm taking care of the rabbits. Lomena said that he was informed about the job by his brother. He added that he begun working at the farm in 2018, and it has enabled him to take care of his family.

Chaplain Uji is another refugee from Kajo Keji living in Budi Refugee settlement camp. He said he started working with Bro. Fafa while in Kajo Keji. He added that he asked for a job because he was idle at the camp and the situation was very dire for him. But with the money he gets from the farm at the moment, he is able to satisfy his family’s needs and supplement on the food they receive from UNHCR.Unlike his colleagues, Opira Matata said he has worked with Comboni missionaries in South Sudan for 15 years. He revealed that his brother was an employee of the missionaries before him.

He joined through the construction team and works as an engineer with the Comboni missionary Moyo. Matata added that he has never had any complaint about his employers as they help him anytime he has a personal problem. He added that he feels like he is part of the family of Comboni missionaries.

He also prided that he earns good allowance from the missionaries and he is able to take care of his family. Bro. Fafa said that the project in Moyo, Uganda is part of what used to be in South Sudan. He also revealed that most of the employees at the projects were the former workers in South Sudan.

“Apalongor”, which means, “bull of an ash-grey colour.”

r. Mario Mantovani was born at Orzinuovi, in Brescia on 18th December 1919. He was ordained a priest in 1946. After 11 years of service in Italy, in 1957, he left for Uganda. He remained in Karamoja until his tragic death on the eve of the feast of Assumption, 14th August 2003. He gave his missionary service in the missions of Morulem (1957-1958), Kaabong (1958-1960, 1982-1983), Nabilatuk (1960-1965), Losilang (Kotido) (1966-1970), Karenga (1970-1974, 1978-1981, and 1983-1985), Kanawat (1974-1976), Matany (1976-1978), Naoi (1986-1995), Loyoro (1996-2002), Kapedo (2002-2003).

Fr. Mario was nicknamed by the Karimojong “Apalongor”, which means, “bull of an ash-grey colour.” Fr. Mario was a kind, friendly, generous, zealous and human man. He was also an excellent cook. He was a man of prayer, always available and very understanding. Lately at Kapedo, he had a good relationship, based on trust and respect, with Bro. Godfrey Kiryowa – who would be killed together with him.

Fr. Mario knew well the Karimojong language. He had written three grammars and a study on the verbs of Ngakarimojong, and was very happy to teach the language to newcomers. His enthusiasm to express love for Jesus Christ must have seemed strange to them. He shared tobacco [etaba] with the Karimojong.

Fr. Mario was never discouraged by the difficulty of working among the Karimojong. He always had a source of encouragement and of hope to the young missionaries of Karamoja. He was always available whenever he was needed, even though, humanly speaking, he might not have been enthusiastic about it. Moreover, this is how he accepted his last assignment: the mission of Kapedo. At his age, that mission appeared to him to be a bit far away. He had discreetly expressed his desire to be assigned nearer, eventually, to the main center of the region Kotido town. In any case, he humbly and courageously accepted also this last challenge.

Fr. Mario was working in Kapedo, an area bordering with Toposa (S. Sudan). Here lived among the Dodos people, where now is established the new district of Kaabong. Southwards, of the existing Kotido district live the Jie people, a tribe traditionally clashing with the Dodos over pasture land for their cattle.

Fr. Mario had been at Kanawat (near Kotido), for the last three weeks the only mission among the Jie where the Combonies were working, to recover from typhoid fever, Bro. Godfrey had gone to fetch him from Kapedo on 14th August. They left Kanawat at 9 a.m. In Lobel (Kopos area), which lies on the border between the Dodos and the Jie, there were over 300 warriors armed with guns roaming about, as there had been a cattle raid carried out by the Dodos together with some Sudanese. It seems that the Dodos had been unsuccessful in the raid. Joseph Nakwa who was the head catechist of Kapedo at the time of the murder of both Combonies observes that the Jie failed to raid the Dodos and so, annoyed by their unsuccessful venture started shooting at all vehicles, which were moving from Kotido towards Kaabong.

Around 10 a.m., our two confreres were driving through Lobel area when a group of Dodos in retreat shot at the driver, Bro. Godfrey, who died instantly. A young man who was in the car with them managed to control the vehicle until it stopped. He then smashed the car window and escaped, leaving Fr. Mario in the car still alive. Fr. Mario got out of the car in the hope of getting away and hiding in the bush.

Fr. Chris Aleti, the only Comboni Missionary then at Kanawat, on the evening of the same day sent out a radio message to Kapedo to know whether the two confreres had arrived. When he heard that they had not yet arrived, he informed the police, but these told him that it was not prudent to search for them at night. The following day, 15th August, Fr. Chris set off, following the road taken by the two confreres. He found the car with the body of Bro. Godfrey and brought it back to the mission of Kanawat.

There was no trace of Fr. Mario. Accompanied by an escort of soldiers, Fr. Chris set off to search for him. From the place of the ambush, they followed the marks left by small boots that looked like those of Fr. Mario, in the hope of finding him. Instead, these tracks led them to the hut of the suspected killer who seemed to have shot him and put on his boots. Shortly afterwards, they found the body of Fr. Mario riddled with bullets.

The suspected killer was imprisoned in Kotido’s police station, but a few days later, while trying to escape, he was shot dead. Fr. Mario was buried next to the church of Kanawat. On 19th August, Fr. Guido Oliana, the provincial of Uganda and on holiday in Italy (waiting for the start of our XVI General Chapter), presided over the funeral Mass at Orzinuovi, Fr. Mario’s hometown and where he was well known.

Fr. Guido thus explained the meaning of Fr. Mario’s death: “In the faith today, we have to celebrate Fr. Mario’s evangelizing victory in Christ. He could not have concluded his mission among the Karimojong in a more meaningful manner.” The readings used in the service were an excellent commentary to the evangelical and missionary meaning of Fr. Mario’s death: “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Tribulations, anxieties, persecutions, lack of food or clothes, danger, the sword – and we could add – ‘the gun’? In all this, we are more than winners by virtue of him who loved us.” Fr. Mario shares in Christ’s victory. Let us hope and pray that the blood he has shed will produce fruits in the difficult task of evangelizing Karamoja.

The Karimojong culture believes in sacrifices, so much so that, before setting off on a cattle raid, the Karimojong offer a head of cattle in sacrifice and, occasionally, even a human sacrifice. In the light of faith and of the Gospel, now it will be the sacrifice of Fr. Mario who will earn the Karimojong not heads of cattle, but their allegiance to Christ and to the Church. With the killing of Fr. Mario and of Bro. Godfrey, the number of Comboni Missionaries who have shed their blood in Uganda has risen to 13.

During the closing days of the 2000 Intercapitular Assembly, Fr. Raffaele Di Bari, another Comboni Missionary in Uganda, was shot and burned to death at Pajule (Acholi land). Now, at the start of the XVI General Chapter, Fr. Mario Mantovani and Bro. Godfrey Kiryowa have been killed at Kopos. I think the Lord by this event wants to send us a message about the true Comboni missionary spirituality. (Fr. Guido Oliana)

On the hundred (100) years of his birth, I want to point out his love for the Karimojong people, for their Language and Culture. I also take this opportunity to correct the meaning of his bull-ox name – Apalongor (brown–soiled colour/dirty from engoryana–he is dirty); to APALONGOR, the owner of the ox/bull of dirty, brownish colour.

Rt. Rev. Joseph Antony Zziwa shares his Missionary Journey

Give us a brief biography of yourself

I was born on 16th February 1956 in Mubende. My parents, now deceased (R.I.P) were Joseph Mbabaali Bagalakyabwe and Josephine Nabawooza Bagalakyabwe. My father was a carpenter and builder whose work is evident in many parishes in Mubende Deanery and beyond. My mother was a farmer. They were staunch Catholics. We are a family of ten children; four boys and six girls of whom I am the first born. Out of the ten, we are three religious in the family: Rev. Fr. Stephen Muyanja the Deputy Head Teacher of Jinja College and Rev. Sr. Elizabeth Nambwayo of the Sisters of Immaculate Heart of Mary Reparatrix (Ggogonya sisters) and me.

For my primary, I went to St. Joseph’s Primary school in Mubende and Nswanjere Junior seminary. In 1970, I joined Kisubi seminary for my secondary, after which I was admitted to the major seminary. I studied philosophy in Katigondo National Seminary and theology in Ggaba National seminary. I later joined Universite’ Catholique de Louvain in Belgium where I studied Church History and Theology and I obtained Bachelors, Licentiate and Doctorate degrees.

What inspired you to priesthood and religious life?

My journey to priesthood began when I was in primary. Our home is near the parish headquarters. I began serving at Holy Mass in Primary three. This kept me close to the priests. I was impressed by their prayer life, pastoral work, celebration of Mass and the Mass vestments. Since all the clergy at the parish were Europeans, I thought that priesthood was reserved for Europeans only. That concept changed in 1962 when Monsignor Alex Mukasa was appointed to our parish and I dared to ask him whether he was really a priest. In his reply, he also asked me whether I wanted to become one. I said yes, and in his words of advice, he told me to ‘be serious with my studies and behave well’.

In 1967, there was a call for candidates to join Nswanjere Junior Seminary where I undertook an interview. Out of the ten pupils, three of us passed the interviews. Thereafter, I was ordained a Deacon at Lubaga in 1979, a priest at Mubende in 1980, and I was consecrated Bishop at Mityana in 2012. From 1980-1983, I served at St. Mbaaga’s Major seminary as a staff. I embarked on higher studies at the Universite’ Catholique de Louvain from 1983 until 1990. When I returned home, I served at Busuubizi parish for one year.

Later, I was appointed to teach at Ggaba National seminary from 1991 until 2001. I was consecrated bishop on the 16th March 2002 and thus became Coadjutor Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese for two years. I have been the Bishop ordinary of the same diocese since 2004. As Bishop, I have served on Uganda Episcopal Conference as the Chairman of Social Communication’s Commission and as the Education Commission Chairman. I have also served as a member of the Executive Board of Uganda Episcopal Conference and also as Vice Chairman . On 11th November, 2018, I was elected by the Bishops to be the Chairman of Uganda Episcopal Conference.

What has been your best moment as a priest?

My ordination to priesthood in 1980 transformed my life completely. I had been longing for the day and when it was fulfilled, I was overwhelmed with joy. I was ordained at Mubende, my parish and on the following day, I presided over the Holy Mass surrounded by many priests at our very home. Another memorable event was in 1980 when I first shook hands with Pope John Paul II. Also, when I was appointed Bishop by Pope John Paul II, I trembled and I was overwhelmed with a different kind of joy, like when Mary was informed by the Angel Gabriel that God had chosen her to be the Mother of Jesus (Lk. 1:26-38). In fact, that event inspired me so much that I chose Mary’s words of acceptance to that call to be my Episcopal motto: “Fiat voluntas tua” (Lk. 1:38). Importantly, whenever I have scored success in my work, served as a shepherd and been able to impart values on people’s lives has been a glorious moment for me.

What has been your best moment as a bishop?

Thrice, I have been chosen to represent the Uganda Episcopal Conference at the Synods of Bishops in Rome where I was blessed to share with the other Bishops from all over the world. Those moments have given me joy to live and experience the catholicity of the Church. Importantly, as a Bishop, when I administer the sacraments especially those reserved for Bishops like the sacrament of confirmation and sacred orders (priestly ordination), I feel great joy.

The pastoral visits that I make in the parishes and other institutions in the Diocese have also been inspiring and rewarding for me as they have enabled me to get very close to the people. In fact, our diocesan pastoral method of the small Christian communities has been very instrumental in my apostolate and that has made my pastoral duties fruitful. I appreciate the faith, love, commitment and work of the Christians for the Church in my Diocese. I really feel good when I hear Catholics proclaim the greeting: “Abasseekimu, mu Kristu Yezu” Literally saying, “we are united in Jesus Christ”.

What are some of the hurdles you have met?

When I had just become a bishop, some people were forcefully evicted from their homes in Madudu Parish. Although we did the Good Samaritan by providing them with essential commodities, their re-settlement was very difficult and disturbing for me. We were almost helpless! Also, despite the good faith people have, there are some Christians who live a double life: today they are in the church and on another day they are in the traditional shrines (masabo) practising witchcraft. They break the first commandment of God: “You shall not have other gods besides me…” (Exodus 20:3-5).

How did you feel when you were voted as the new chair of Uganda Episcopal Conference?

It was on 11th November 2018, when I took office. I was overwhelmed to see that my brother bishops trusted me so much with their votes. I felt so humbled. Leadership for me means rendering service to others. My duty as the Chairman is to work for the implementation of the strategic plans of the conference. I will work for the unity and growth of the Church and the faith of Christians in Uganda. In 1994, the Synod of Bishops in Rome called the Church the family of God.

Following that understanding, we as the Church should live and work as God’s family here on earth despite our human differences or cultural diversity. This should help us to build unity and promote peace. I want also to single out the question of Identity. Thus, no Catholic should feel shy or ashamed of associating himself or herself with the Catholic Church. Also, I would like to emphasize the importance of re-evangelization and catechesis. It is not just enough to be baptized. Let us have proper knowledge and understanding of our faith, the church doctrine and practice. True conviction and commitment is needed.

What is the position of the Episcopal conference on the proposed National Sexuality Education Framework?

Our position was given in our Statement that we issued on 8th June 2018 after the publication of that document (National Sexuality Education Framework) by the Ministry of Education and Sports. In brief, we pointed out the following: the vital role of the family (parents), especially in the early ages is ignored in the Framework.

Children in the Early Childhood, Pre-Primary and Nursery level (3 to 5 years) and in the Lower Primary School are exposed to content and life skills not appropriate for their age. The information and the life skills foreseen for the higher levels are open to interpretation and practices which may be contrary to moral Christian values. There are no provisions or guaranties that school teachers are prepared and able to teach in a balanced and proper way such delicate and emotionally charged topics.

Consequently, should the National Sexuality Education Framework remain unchanged, with provisions and directives contrary to our Christian values, the common position of the Catholic Church, shared by the Church of Uganda and the Orthodox Church in Uganda, is that we shall not be able in conscience to have it taught in our Christian founded schools.

What is your last word to all?

Uganda is blessed with the gift of faith and that of the Uganda Martyrs. Let us be true witnesses to Christ in our society today. Let us be united, for unity is strength (force) and let our light shine (Mt. 5:13-16).

The story of the good samaritan is only reported by the Evangelist Luke (Lk 10:25-37). It is, thus, a “lucan Sondgut” that corresponds to the portrait of Jesus that Luke paints in his gopsel. Jesus is presented as a friend of those at the margins. Out of love, Jesus took on the story of a wounded and wounding humanity. He never watched it from afar but He became part of it. In fact, we can say that Jesus is the Good Samaritan par excellence who binds the wounds of humanity in order to heal them. He pays the price with His blood on the cross.

This story invites us to go beyond what we theoretically know about love in order to love with deeds. The scholar of the law knew quiet well what he had to do in order to inherit eternal life:“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.”

That was a very correct answer, but Jesus encouraged him to do what he knew (Lk 10: 28). What the lawyer was missing could be an invitation to leave the comfort of the theories about love in order to reach out to those that have fallen into the hands of robbers. What you know about love is not love until you love with a concrete deed.

It is interesting to note that the man who saw and had compassion on the wounded (most probably a jew) was a foreigner, a samaritan whom Jews despised. The contrast is that “a certain priest and a levite (these are both pure Jews) who considered the purity laws to be paramount saw the wounded man but passed on the other side in order not to defile themselves with blood. They were probably going for a “holy ritual service forgetting that God was waiting for them at the roadside in the person of the wounded. This makes us remember what Jesus says about the last judgement: “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me” (Mt 25:40).

Apart from awakening the sensitivity to the needs of our neighbours, the story of the good samaritan confronts us with a bitter truth that there are many robbers on the roads of life. They leave many half-dead. Let us not think about only those who have been physically beaten up to the point of death, but also those who have been robbed of their dignity when their names have been tarnished by blackmailing and all forms of calumny.

All these are groaning under pain and are waiting for those who see and dare to come closer so as to raise them up. Our love of neighbour should begin with a prayer so that through the conversion of heart, we may dream of robber-free environments.
Since this may take some time, then we ought to be agents of healing for those who have been wounded. May we not become robbers ourselves!

Fr. Anthony Kibira MCCJ