Catholic Church launches centennial year of Archbishop Livinhac's death

The Catholic Church has launched the 100th year of the death of Archbishop Leon Livinhac with a call on Christians to deepen their faith.

Livinhac, a French priest of the Catholic missionary society of the White Fathers, was the leader of the pioneer Catholic missionaries, who arrived in Uganda in February 17, 1879. 

He is remembered for celebrating the first-ever Catholic mass in Uganda, at Mapeera-Nabulagala Catholic Mission Station (in Rubaga Division) on June 25, 1879.

Archbishop Augustine Kasujja (wearing a skull-cap) and other Catholic clerics during the thanksgiving mass for the launching of the centennial year of Archbishop Livinhac's death at Mapeera-Nabulagala Catholic Church on Thursday, November 11. Photos by Mathias Mazinga

He is also remembered for administering the Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion of the first Ugandan Christian converts.

Livinhac is further remembered for pioneering Uganda's Catholic episcopate.

The centennial year of Livinhac's death was launched by the Apostolic Nuncio Emeritus to Belgium, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mapeera-Nabulagala (in Rubaga Division) on Thursday, November 11.

The mass was concelebrated by Fr. Richard Nnyombi (a senior member of the missionary society of White Fathers), Fr. Dr. Mark Richard Ssajjabbi, and a number of other Catholic clerics.

Fr. Richard Nnyombi of the Catholic Missionary Society of the White Fathers delivers his remarks

Delivering his message during the function, the President of the Uganda National Council of the Catholic Laity, Gervase Ndyanabo praised Archbishop Livinhac for his sacrificial commitment to the establishment of the Catholic faith in Uganda and Africa.

He asked contemporary Christians to emulate the deep faith of Livinhac and his confreres (Fr. Simeon Lourdel Mapeera, Bro. Delmas Amans, Fr. Grault and Fr. Barbot).

"Archbishop Livinhac and his confreres hailed from France. They came and planted the faith here, 142 years ago. The situation then was so difficult. They faced challenges such as backwardness, hostility, diseases, etc. They were nonetheless so effective that just after a few years, their converts became martyrs of the faith! Let's emulate the faith and commitment of the pioneer missionaries. We are living in far better days. We thus have no excuse not to live out our faith. Let's practise our faith by putting in action the great commandment, that is, loving our God and our fellow human beings," Ndyanabo said.

The Head of the Catholic laity in Uganda, Gervase Ndyanabo delivers his remarks

In his homily, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja spoke highly of Archbishop Livinhac's passionate devotion to ecumenism (Christian unity) and inter-religious dialogue. He asked contemporary Christians to keep Livinhac's legacy by being champions of peace, love, and unity.

 

The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga thanked Livinhac for publishing the first Luganda grammar book. He said the kingdom will remain committed to its good partnership with the Catholic Church, which he said, started long ago when King Muteesa I invited missionaries to come and give his subjects holistic enlightenment. Mayiga's message was delivered by the Katikkiro emeritus, the Rt. Hon. Joseph Mulwanyammuli Ssemwogerere.

As some of the activities of launching the centenary year of Livinhac's death, Archbishop Kasujja unveiled and blessed the statue of Livinhac (celebrating the first Catholic mass). He also launched the fundraising campaign for the proposed improvement of the stairs of Nabulagala Catholic church and the establishment of the museum of the history of the Catholic faith in Uganda, at the church.

Archbishop Kasujja lights a symbolic candle

Archbishop Augustine Kasujja (fifth-left), Gervase Ndyanabo (fourth-left), Fr Richard Nnyombi (right) and some Catholic clerics cutting cake after launching the centennial year of the death of Archbishop Livinhac at Mapeera-Nabulagala Catholic Church, in Lubaga Division