Adeu Bishop Henry SSentongo, Will You Come Back?

Rt. Rev. Henry Ssentongo during the consecration of his
successor in Moroto last year.                                          

SATURDAY didn’t get me on course, but the next day; –Sunday did as I attended prayers at Regina Mundi Parish as usual. There was a clear sign of the Saturday function in the heavily packed mini-Cathedral structure tonight. Boy, you could effortlessly tell that your blogger appeared to be among the few deep-rooted Catholics in this holy house that pitiably missed the momentous gathering the previous day on the same spot.  

 

Most of the sheep that didn’t miss out were visibly worked out. They looked easily attached already to the main issue and the main character of the week for this Catholic community. Theirs was now to simply attend his last service and take home his last words of inspiration. Mine was obliviously still more inclined on the procedure of our Catholic mass as usual and the admiration of the beauty of a bishop leading the Sunday prayer. News is power! Now I know.

Former Bishop of Moroto diocese Rt. Rev. Henry Ssentongo Saturday had a send-off mass which attracted a large number of Christ’s followers from within and outside Moroto. Flocks came from many a parish in Karamoja and other parts of Uganda and Kenya.  Details of the speeches, the gifts, the songs and blessings passed on just like running water under the bridge. This blog puzzlingly missed out in attendance because it kept focus on another picture in the world.

Nonetheless, it was equally beneficial to capture some of bishop Ssentongo’s key recommendations for the people of Regina Mundi parish and the people of Moroto as he led his last Sunday prayer in this Church. He will be heading to his retirement ground in Masaka district, but bishop Ssentongo made some powerful observations for the Christians in Regina Mundi Parish:

First, he heartily reacted to the wholesome words of appreciation by Parish Council Chairperson, Paul Abul. Mr. Abul observed that the bishop had more attachment to Regina Mundi than any other parish as he resided within and easily “shared mass with the parishioners quite often”. In response, the Retired bishop said, “Thanks giving is an unbroken chain in the lives of committed Christians”.

 

Abul’s other significant question of compassion, love and honor was captured from the songs of Pupils of Kalas Girls School who presented on Saturday. “Bishop Ssentongo you are going, will you come back?” I believe, the answer to this will roll home when our beloved bishop returns one day for a visit. He seemed determined to always come back as he clearly requested that his name be kept in the list of honorary parishioners of Regina Mundi.

The bishop awakened members of this parish to recognise their apparent advantages over other parishes within the region. He sighted the Cathedral status, and the strategic location of the parish as some of the key attributes that make Regina Mundi stand admirably aside.

He also looked at key institutions within the parish; Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, The UPDF Army Third Division Headquarters, The Central Police Station, and the Prisons. Other institutions he recognised included; Don Victorio Youth Center, the Primary Teacher Training College, Moroto High School and all the NGO offices within Moroto Municipality.

He pointed out that the army is quite an important institution to community although sometimes people might have minimal complaints on their way of work. He equally commended the service of the prison describing it as a destination where people easily get to “understand the human situation.”

Bishop Ssentongo advised members to coexist with the above institutions.  "Let us use and appreciate them". He encouraged internal excursions before running to other parts of the world. In his homily, the bishop encouraged Christians to work harder in life and ensure that what God requires of humanity is duly fulfilled however stiff it may be and however long it may take for man to see results of toiling for the Lord.  “The sacrifices we make to God today are sources of blessings and reward, we may not experience it now, but it comes” he said.

Last year, Italian born Rev. Damiano Giulio Guzzetti was sanctified as new bishop of Moroto Diaocese to replace Rt. Rev. Ssentongo. Whatever the different angles in telling the story of this man of God, Regina Mundi Parish Community will surely miss the service of Bishop Ssentongo.

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