Fr. Paul Ssebitoogo, the Parish Priest for St. Paul and Fr. Benedict Mugerwa, the National Catholic Youth Chaplain carrying the cross at Wantoni heading to St. Dunstan.
Hundreds of Believers of both the Catholic and Anglican faith have today joined hands to observe the way of the cross through Mukono town. The Catholic side has been led by Fr. Paul Ssebitoogo, the Parish Priest of St. Paul Catholic Parish and Fr. Benedict Mugerwa, the National Catholic Youth Chaplain whereas the Anglicans have been led by Rev. Elisa Walusimbi, the Parish Priest of St. Dunstan Parish at Wantoni, in Mukono Municipality.
Fr. Paul Ssebitoogo, the Parish Priest for St. Paul and Fr. Benedict Mugerwa, the National Catholic Youth Chaplain carrying the cross at Wantoni heading to St. Dunstan.
Reflecting to the different stations Jesus went through as he was being taken to be crucified, the believers made several stop overs on the way reading different Bible verses, preaching and praying for a number of petitions.
The faithful started the way of the cross from Wantoni Cell in Mukono Central Division heading to St. Dunstan Church and later took Kame road heading to Kame Valley Market. They also made a stopover at Mukono Church of Uganda Hospital, on Kampala-Jinja highway, Mukono Taxi Park, Total-Kayunga road, YMCA and Kyaggwe County headquarters.
George Fred Kagimu, the former Mukono Municipality Mayor (left) joining the rest to carry the cross.
Road users on Kampala-Jinja highway were held in traffic as believers filled up the road for over 2 hours.
Fr. Ssebitoogo said that in a bid to save his life, Peter, who was one of the 12 disciples of Jesus, denied him three times as He (Jesus) had told him earlier. “Peter wanted to save his earthly life forgetting that it was Jesus who granted us eternal life,” he said.
The Christians who turned up in numbers while at one of the stop overs at Kame Valley Market in Mukono town.
Peter Denies Jesus
“54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.”
Rev. Elisa Walusimbi addressing the believers while at Kame Valley Market.
Fr. Ssebitoogo said people today deny Jesus in that same manner in a number of ways following those who feel shy to speak about their faith; others keep their Christian names secret and many other conducts.
He prayed for the business community to get God’s intervention and blessing so that they can get through this biting economy which has affected almost everyone in the country.
The faithful as they observed the way of the cross through Mukono town on Kampala-Jinja highway.
Rev. Harriet Wamulima, the chaplain of Mukono Church of Uganda Hospital said many people are heavy-laden with a lot of challenges and tribulations.
Rev. Wamulima however said that God knows all of those that are challenging mankind and that he is in control.
“I am therefore praying for those of you who have joined today’s way of the cross with a lot of ailments and burdens so that God can take you through them and you get healed,” she prayed.
Rev. Walusimbi was however perturbed by the fact that many of Christians participated in the way of the cross but they were not on purpose.
The health workers carrying the cross as they got out of Mukono Church of Uganda Hospital in Mukono town.
The man of God said in the same manner, many Christians today make Church services like baptism, weddings, confirmation and others just for the matter’s sake but when in actual sense they do not mean what they have not done.
“Many of us just end up making parties, serving food and expensive drinks which would not be the actual cause,” he stressed.
Walusimbi said Jesus was beaten, tortured and killed on the cross not that he was a sinner but because of our sins.
“Be rest assured that whenever you commit sins, you are taking Jesus through that same trial,” he said.
Unlike the previous years where the Catholics would be led by the bishop of Lugazi diocese and the Church of Uganda by the bishop of Mukono diocese, this time, the bishops have not turned up.
