Christmas Message Of His Grace Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga of Kampala Archdiocese - Uganda

Dear Sisters and Brother in Christ, Happy Christmas to you all.

1.  Once again, we come to the much anticipated moment when we experience the Joy of Christmas. As we celebrate Christmas this Year 2012, our attention is drawn to two significant dates for the people of Uganda and for the Universal Catholic Church. On 9^th October 2012, Uganda celebrated 50 years of her political independence. Whereas on 11^th October 2012, the Catholic Church celebrated 50 years commemorating the official opening of Vatican II Council.

The two institutions, Church and State have had a considerable contribution to the development of Uganda through the official proclamations which act as a lens for the protection and promotion of the dignity of the human person. It should be noted that the 1995 Constitution of Uganda devotes the whole of chapter four to the question of human dignity. In the Catholic Church, the Vatican II constitutions and decrees especially Gaudium et Spes, which is considered as the ‘Magna Charta’, the charter of human dignity develop this theme of human dignity with such eloquence which makes the church an authentic “expert in humanity.”

2.    Christmas reminds us of Human Dignity

As we celebrate Christmas, this topic of human dignity comes to the fore because it is constituted by the mystery of the incarnation, when God became a human person. By taking on human flesh, God identified himself with humans and, in so doing, he raised our dignity among all creatures. But also this demands of us that we should recognize him in every other human being, regardless of ethnicity, creed, colour or social condition. When we do this, we create a space for God in our daily life. We become the leaven of a new society, where everyone is welcomed, accepted and loved. We can then join hands with one another and work together to create our world into a place where justice, peace, understanding and forgiveness shine out. Christmas is the point at which God and human beings meet, in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the subject of admiration and reflection for believers and non-believers alike. This is true in the revelation of his divine mission when he said: “I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance” (Jn 10:10). Therefore, Jesus’ coming should always bring life in our societies  families and in individual lives. However, as we celebrate this Christmas, we have a number of challenges in our society.

3.      Challenges in our Society:

a)    UNEASINESS IN SOCIETY HAMPERS A TRULY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

At this time in our history, we cannot ignore the increasing level of restlessness in our country. The statistics are frightening. They indicate that the frequency of violent crimes against our fellow human beings is on the rise and many people feel vulnerable.

For example: It is reported that 41% of all Ugandan women experience domestic violence with research from Mulago Prenatal Clinic indicating that 40.7% of their patients had experienced violence the year prior to conception alone. In 2011 as a result of domestic violence, 251 women were murdered. And only 181 cases were investigated. And the 2012 report done on the Economic Cost of Domestic Violence in Uganda by the Center for Domestic Violence Prevention (CEDOVIP) found out that government loses an estimated Sh.57.9 billion annually to deal with domestic violence. Again as with violence, the most recent crime report shows that killings by iron bars and strangulation contribute to 69 per cent (1,900) of all homicide cases in the country. 

b)     H.I.V/AIDS PREVALENCE

Uganda’s HIV/AIDS prevalence rate has shot up from 6.4% in 2005 to 7.3% as of September last year 2011. The prevalence rate has increased from 7.5% to 8.3% among women compared to 5-6.1% among men. Over 130,000 new HIV infections are recorded in our country each year. Most HIV infections in Uganda are spread by promiscuous practices of casual sex and unfaithfulness. The Church’s teaching against HIV/AIDS infection has always remained faithful, love and abstinence, hence ABC: Abstain Be Faithful and be Christo-centric, that is respond to Christ’s invitation to all of us to be holy as He is with the Father, in fighting against the disease.

c)      THE YOUTH

The youth in Uganda as a specific social category is burdened with risks and uncertainties. Many feel alienated and there are no clear strategies to help them make the right choices, protect them from exploitation and neglect and ensure their participation in all spheres of society. Whereas a society that cuts itself off from its youth breaks its lifeline; it is condemned to bleed to death.

d)     HEIGHTENED INTOLERANCE

The incidents of heightened intolerance of one another are more acute than ever before; land-grabbing has not eased despite legislation; poverty levels are heightened, promiscuity is on the rise, iron-bar hit men are becoming rampant; and the list can go on. This does not mean that there are no innumerable positive things that are happening all around us which need to be highlighted and promoted. But, in cases like these it is necessary to be cynical, in order to help ourselves appreciate the magnitude of the efforts required to bringing about a change. And in our particular situation, to help us determine what needs to be done in order to live fully the message of Christmas.

e)      HOMOSEXUALITY

These days, strange stories cover the International News. In Europe, for instance, they speak of marriages between people of the same sex. May God forbid such strange and foolish ideas among our African people! In the Gospel of Mark (10; 6ff), we read: "But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female'. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife; and the two will become one flesh; so they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." Now, how can we talk of marriage between people of the same sex?

f)       MURDERS

Since Cain who murdered his brother Abel, Murder has spread throughout the World, The recent drama in America has reminded us of this horrific reality, especially when it aims at killing defenseless people. In our own Country too, we are well aware of the powers of evil spreading among us. Why should it be like that? We should never be accomplices of such evils; we should rather denounce the murderers and bring them to legal justice, not to mob justice however. Nowadays many innocent lives are being lost as a result of abortions and mob justice, I call upon each one of us to see it that this comes to an end. Remember what the Lord said: Do not kill! (Exodus 25:13).

4.      WAY FORWARD AND CONCLUSION

All these challenges I have mentioned call for Reconciliation and justice to obtain true peace in our country. I am strongly convinced that every person and every community, whether religious, civil, educational or cultural wants peace and true peace. But we cannot obtain this peace unless we have reconciled and availed justice in our societies.

 I therefore call upon all people of Uganda, people of good will to seek reconciliation, first of all with God our creator, secondly with our fellow human beings and society at large so as to achieve genuine peace at all levels and to always be just in our families, at our places of work and in our entire society.

I greet H. E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, his wife and family, and all members of his Government

His majesty Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II and all Cultural leaders

ALL Religious leaders in Uganda

And all people of Uganda, Citizens and other Nationalities living in our country

        To you all, I wish a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year 2013 with many   God’s   Blessings