KAMPALA – As the Coronavirus wreaks havoc, Kampala Catholic Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga has issued pastoral guidelines for liturgical celebrations to all Priests, Religious and Lay Faithful of Kampala Archdiocese an effort to help prevent the spread of the virus among Christians.
He has decreed that the faithful are dispensed from personally attending the Sunday obligation during this period when public gatherings are banned, but, “ the Church will continue to reach out to the faithful via the available means of social communication” including broadcast Mass on various Television Stations for the faithful to follow.
“The Television Stations and the time when these Masses will take place will be communicated to you so that you can tune in and follow,’ he said adding that Sunday Mass at the Cathedral will also be broadcast on live TV,” he wrote encouraging the faithful to tune in every Sunday to prayerfully follow the Sacrifice of the Mass and spiritually join their prayer intentions to those of the celebrating Priest.
The Archbishop said Sermons, Homilies and Reflections will also be live-streamed or posted on the Archdiocese’s Social Media platforms.
“Our website, YouTube Channel and Facebook Page are going to have material for spiritual nourishment. You are all encouraged to visit our website (klarchdiocese.org.ug), Facebook Page and YouTube Channel to follow.”
He has also encouraged families to engage in an active and intense prayer life begging the Lord to help the world overcome this threat of COVID-19.
“I call upon families to say our traditional morning and evening prayers (ekisinde), the Angelus, recite the Holy Rosary and the Pope’s Prayer for COVID-19. Remembering the miraculous cure of a similar plague (kawumpuli) in the past through the intercession of the Uganda Martyrs (in 1942), I strongly appeal to you to pray through the intercession of the Uganda Martyrs,” he wrote adding that “The Way of the Cross is to be carried out in our homes.”
The Archbishop Lwanga also revealed that the rites of Holy Week (Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday) are not to be publicly celebrated but the faithful can follow the celebrations from home as they will be aired out on various means of social communication.
The Catechumens who have been awaiting baptism during the Easter vigil may continue their formation in their families. They will be baptized at a later date.
He encouraged the faithful in this time to revive the spirit of meditating on the daily Word of God at family level so as to obtain nourishment from it, for it is not only ‘alive and active’ (Heb. 4:12), but also gives life (Prov. 3:1-2).
“It is important that the sick and the bereaved feel taken care of by the ministers, the health care workers and the whole community, bearing in mind the directives of the President and the Ministry of Health,” he wrot adding that these pastoral guidelines start with immediate effect.
Holy Mass (Sunday 22nd March 2020)
Televised
1. NBS – 9.00am (English)
2 BBS – 8.00am (Luganda)
3. UCTv – 4.00pm, 7.00pm (English)
4. Tv West – 10.30am (Runyakitara)
5. Urban Tv – 11.00am (English)
6. Bukedde Tv – 11.00am (Luganda)
Livestream
1. St. Augustine Makerere University – 10.00am (English)
2. Uganda Martyrs shrine Namugongo – 8.00am (Luganda), 10.00am (English)
3. Our Lady of Africa parish, Mbuya – 8.00am (Luganda), 10.00am (English)
4. Our Lady of good counsel – 7.00am (Luganda), 9.00am (English)
5. EWTN Vatican – 8.00am
6. Catholic News Service – 8.00am
Radio
1. Radio Maria – 7.00am, 10.00am, 1.00pm, 7.00pm
2. Radio Sapientia – 1.00pm
