Martyrs' Day: Nuncio Kasujja calls for responsible parenthood

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Apostolic Nuncio (rtd) Dr Augustine Kasujja has urged Christian parents to be more committed to the moral development of their children.

He says the Church and the country are in dire need of morally upright children, whose character rhymes with that of the Uganda Martyrs, that are being commemorated.

“The Uganda martyrs were virtuous young men who fully committed themselves to God. They loved Jesus and even died for Him. Dear parents, please bring up your children well. Teach them good manners. Give them a strong moral foundation so that they are like the Uganda Martyrs.  Teach them the fundamentals of the faith. Encourage them to be active members of the Church. People should speak well of your children,” Kasujja says.

He was delivering his homily during the thanksgiving mass for the Uganda Martyrs Guild pilgrimage at St John the Baptist Catholic parish church, Mapeera-Nabulagala, in Kampala city's Rubaga division on May 24, 2025.

A spectacle of the members of the Uganda Martyrs Guild during their pilgrimage of faith at Mapeera-Nabulagala Catholic church, in Rubaga Division on Saturday, May 24, 2025. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

Kasujja commended members of the Uganda Martyrs Guild for their deep devotion to the martyrs and the Catholic faith. He paid tribute to the late Archbishop Henry Streicher, a prelate of the Catholic Missionary Society of the White Fathers (also called Missionaries of Africa), who founded the association way back in 1897, long before the canonisation of the martyrs.

He nonetheless put it to the members to carry on the intentions of the association’s founder, which include deepening and promoting the devotion of the martyrs among the Christians. He further urged them to face the respective challenges they encounter with faith, hope, determination and prayer.

“Our Christian life cannot be devoid of challenges. So, we should always be ready to be challenged and demoralised by those who lack faith. As we serve the Lord through our respective apostolates, let’s refrain from doing what we want or opting for the easy way. Let’s instead do what God wants us to do. Let’s listen and obey the Holy Spirit just like the apostles did,” Kasujja said.

He also encouraged Christians to deepen their devotion to the Uganda Martyrs, who, he said, are very much venerated globally. He asked Christians to emulate the martyrs by strengthening their commitment to the faith and the principles of truth, justice and peace.

Kasujja celebrated the mass with Fr Richard Nnyombi (White Father), Fr Joseph Zunguluka wa Zunguluka (White Father), Fr Paul Gyaviira Muwanga and Fr John Mary Kibirige.