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| Cekoroba |
It
was on the 9th March, 2017 that a multitude of the PCJ – Philosophy
Centre Jinja family congregated to reflect and meditate on the theme; “In the
footsteps of the pioneer missionaries in Uganda.” The day was graced by the
presence of the guest speaker, Fr. Richard Nyombi M.Afr. He was particularly
introduced to commence the seminar by the rector of Lavigerie formation
house-Jinja in the following manner: “I invite Fr. Richard Nyombi to take
us into the beautiful reminiscence of our pioneer missionaries; Fr. Lourdel,
Br. Amans and Mother Kevin, as we eventually project ourselves into the future
which we hope will culminate in the beatification of those who have made the
pearl of Africa to be known as the land of the martyrs” (Cekoroba,
2017).
This
opening statement was so rich and informed of the seminar’s theme. The mention
of the Platonic literary genre takes us not only to history but historicity
which is paramount in any discipline; he also highlighted the on-going process
of investigation on the worth of these three for beatification and finally
echoed what Uganda is paired with – land of the martyrs. All these aspects are
part and parcel of what constituted the theme in congruence to the guest
speaker’s key agenda.
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| Fr. Richard Nyombi, M.Afr. |
He
began by reminding the assembly of the history of evangelization in Uganda,
with the White Fathers establishing their presence in Central and Western part
early in 1879, Mill Hill Missionaries in the East in 1895 and the Comboni
Missionaries in the North much later in 1910. This informs us that the White
Fathers are the architect of Catholic Christianity in Uganda. This does not
discount the vigorous role of the other religious congregations not mentioned
herein.
Extensive
as it was, the theme was condensed into six significant points. History has it
that “Uganda is the pearl of Africa” (W. Churchill). This has remained
enshrined hitherto. What is new is that the missionary work of these pioneer
missionaries has yielded fruits for the universal church – the martyrs, giving
Uganda a new name as the “Pearl of Africa and Land of the martyrs.” With
martyrdom as the cream of witness, Mapeera is reported to have exclaimed: “We
no longer need to envy any other mission, Uganda has her own martyrs!”
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| Sister Leone (Little Sisters of Saint Francis) introducing the life of Mother Kevin |
Fr.
Richard, too, articulated on whether or not we need Saints in our milieu. With
reference to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 828, we realize that
saints play a pivotal role in our lives as intercessors and companions,
examples and models of holiness and are the source and origin of renewal. What
ensued was the life and works of Mapeera, Amans and Mother Kevin. Mother Kevin,
who was invited to Uganda by a Mill Hill Prelate (based in Uganda) in 1903, has
had a visible contribution. To mention but a few, she established a number of
health units including Nzambia hospital and several schools to address health
and literary needs of the natives. Above all, Mother Kevin founded the
congregation of the Little Sisters of St. Francis traditionally known as Franciscan
Missionary Sisters for Africa. Mapeera was gifted: he was a diplomat,
linguistic and a doctor. He enjoyed good acquaintance with the Kabaka of
Buganda and was his personal doctor and friend. In a way, he represented the
Catholic missionaries to Uganda. Amans and Mapeera are inseparable. The name
Mapeera is a Baganda twist from ‘mon pere’ as Amans used to call
Lourdel, ‘my father’. Though he seemed to be in the background, his
hands and feet were soiled in tending to the different demands of the people in
the apostolate. Amans is reported to have been a missionary of good character
that one of the Uganda martyrs, John Mary before his death spoke of him as
follows: “I want to be like Brother Amans.” Historically, Br. Amans was
the first religious in Uganda, and the first to take his missionary oath in
Uganda.
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| Unity among Mill Hill, Missionaries of Africa and Little Sisters of Saint Francis during the Eucharistic celebration |
The
cause for the Beatification of Mapeera, Amans and Mother Kevin was part of the
day’s package. The audience was invited to be involved in this fundamental
process with the hope that by reflecting on the outcome of the lives of the
pioneer missionaries in Uganda, we may take their faith as our model. The guest
speaker concluded by inviting the assembly to be part in the pilgrimage, which
he compared with the encounter between Jesus and the disciples of John the
Baptist. In response to their demand of where he lives, Jesus told them to ‘Come
and See.’ They went, saw and returned to give witness to others. This must
be the same for our pioneer missionaries in Uganda; we should be in touch with
their history, emulate their example and faith, and give witness through their
intercession.
LONGOLI MICHAEL