NEWS– It was a joyful occasion on July 10th 2024 morning as retired Bishops of Church of Uganda, along with their spouses and widows of late Bishops, gathered at Lweza Training and Conference Centre for their two-day residential retreat.
The retreat began with a Holy Communion Service, which was led Archbishop of Church of Uganda, The Most Rev Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, as the Main Celebrant and Rt Rev Prof Alfred Olwa, the Bishop of Lango Diocese, as the Preacher.
Archbishop Kaziimba, who officially opened the retreat after the Holy Communion Service, highlighted its key objectives.
“This retreat was organized for our seniors in ministry to reconnect, fellowship, for us to seek their advice and guidance, and to support each other. Many have retired and been far apart from one another. We believe it’s a very good opportunity to meet again and make important reflections,” Archbishop Kaziimba said.
He added, “This retreat is also an opportunity for us to account to them because they handed over to us. They need to be updated on where the Church stands, such as the completion of the Church House debt, which many of them laid the foundation for, the development of the Uganda Martyrs Anglican Site in Namugongo, Family TV, our stand against homosexuality, among other issues.”
Archbishop Kaziimba, who visited all incumbent and retired Bishops and widows of late Bishops during the COVID-19 pandemic in two weeks, expressed his happiness that retired Bishops are still concerned about the governance of the Church and are always keeping it in their prayers.
“When I visited all of them in their homes within two weeks, it was risky, but I gained a lot of knowledge from them. In this retreat, we have lined up a number of speakers on health, spirituality, and responsible living in retirement,” Archbishop Kaziimba said.
WHAT RETIRED BISHOPS SAID:Â
Bishop William Rukirande aged 92, the former Bishop of the Diocese of Kigezi, shared his experience in retirement, stating that he is actively engaged in farming and writing.
Bishop Zebedee Masereka, the retired Bishop of South Ruwenzori Diocese, attributed his peaceful retirement to his wife, whom he credited for rearing chicken, growing mushrooms, managing fish ponds, and operating their family clinic in Kasese Town. He also disclosed that he is a Special Presidential Assistant for the Western Region.
According to the Church of Uganda Communications Officer Sadiiki Adams Mugume, over 70 participants that included retired Bishops, their spouses and the widows of retired Bishops are in attendance and the next retreat has been scheduled to take place in July 2025.
