Pope to visit Kenya, Uganda and Central African Republic

Colin

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Pope Francis will begin his first apostolic journey to Africa on the morning of Wednesday 25 November. At the heart of his six-day journey, taking him to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic is his desire to bring a message of peace, reconciliation, dialogue and the impetus to overcome internal divisions.

Speaking on Thursday morning at a press conference in the Vatican, Press Office Director Fr Federico Lombardi said for Jorge Mario Bergoglio it will be a first time in Africa, and not only as Pope.

This apostolic visit will be Francis' 11th journey abroad, but Lombardi pointed out that two Popes have been to these countries before him. The first was Blessed Paul VI who visited Uganda in 1969. Then it was the turn of Saint John Paul II who visited some 42 African nations during his pontificate including Kenya in 1980, in 1985 and in 1995; Uganda in 1993; and Central African Republic in 1975.

During his three-nation trip Pope Francis will be accompanied by Cardinal Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, his deputy Angelo Becciu and the Cardinals Filoni and Turkson, respectively prefect the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, as well as by masters of ceremonies, other Vatican staff, some 75 journalists and of course, security personnel.

Pope Francis is scheduled to spend one and a half days in each country; in Nairobi, Kampala and Bangui he will celebrate Mass with the faithful, hold meetings with political and religious authorities, exchange views with the bishops, spend time with the poor and the needy, meet with the youth, participate in ecumenical encounters.

In Kenya he will also address leaders and staff of the United Nations; in Uganda he will celebrate the Ugandan martyrs; in war-torn CAR he will open Bangui Cathedral's Holy Door in a powerful gesture leading up to the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

One of Pope Francis' last commitments before he boards the Papal plane bringing him back to Rome on November 30, will be a visit to Bangui's Central Mosque for a meeting with the Muslim community.

( Source ICN )

Blessed Pope Paul VI In Uganda 1969.......
 

Colin

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The Pope's celebration of Uganda's martyrs will revitalise the faith of the young Church in Uganda according to a senior Christian leader. Speaking to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, Mgr John Baptist Kauta, Secretary General of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, described how the country's violent past had prepared the way for a young and hopeful Church to emerge.

Pope Francis, who will arrive in Uganda on Friday, 27th November, will celebrate a special Mass commemorating the 50th anniversary of the canonisation of the Ugandan Martyrs. The event, scheduled for the second day of the visit will occur in the newly renovated church in Namugongo. He will also be received by catechists and teachers in Munyonyo, Kampala.

Monsignor Kauta said that he was expecting more than two million faithful to join the Holy Father in honouring the 22 Catholics who died for their faith in the 19th century.

The Monsignor also stressed that the theme of the Pope's visit to Uganda - You Will Be My Witnesses - which is taken from the Acts of the Apostles 1: 8 reflects the subject of martyrdom.

Monsignor Kauta added: "We too are called to witness in one way or another. Our faith must be alive and shown through our good work. The Pope's simple life is a beautiful example. He revitalises the people's faith and reminds us there is always room for improvement."

Ahead of the Pope's arrival, Monsignor Kauta said the visit was an excellent reminder of the universality of the Church, particularly for Uganda where the Church is relatively new in some states.

Pilgrims from Kenya, Tanzania, Australia and the United States are predicted to make the journey to see the Pope. As well as promoting tourism, Monsignor Kauta hopes that the visit will also encourage inter-religious dialogue and noted that the Muslim community had passed on their warm wishes for a successful visit.

The Pope will also meet a number of married couples and more than 100,000 young people which the Monsignor hopes will strengthen the faith of the youth.

"It is like he is saying: 'We appreciate what you are doing, keep up the good work' To me, it gives faith to all of us. We are prosperous though we have the pangs of birth as a new church in a new age."

Monsignor Kauta also thanked Aid to the Church in Need for helping the Church in Uganda overcome some of the challenges they face. In particular, for providing transport so that some of the country's 14,000 catechists are able to minister to their large parishes in the countryside. He thanked benefactors for "helping us to meet the people's need and make the church as local as possible.

"We are the children now sharing the same Church."

Aid to the Church in Need also provides support on a diocesan level, supporting priests and catechists through Mass stipends as well as supporting a number of construction projects. In 2014, the charity provided more than £800,000 for around 88 projects.



Source: ACN
 
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Michie

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Looking foward to the coverage!

Pope Francis will begin his first apostolic journey to Africa on the morning of Wednesday 25 November. At the heart of his six-day journey, taking him to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic is his desire to bring a message of peace, reconciliation, dialogue and the impetus to overcome internal divisions.

Speaking on Thursday morning at a press conference in the Vatican, Press Office Director Fr Federico Lombardi said for Jorge Mario Bergoglio it will be a first time in Africa, and not only as Pope.

This apostolic visit will be Francis' 11th journey abroad, but Lombardi pointed out that two Popes have been to these countries before him. The first was Blessed Paul VI who visited Uganda in 1969. Then it was the turn of Saint John Paul II who visited some 42 African nations during his pontificate including Kenya in 1980, in 1985 and in 1995; Uganda in 1993; and Central African Republic in 1975.

During his three-nation trip Pope Francis will be accompanied by Cardinal Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, his deputy Angelo Becciu and the Cardinals Filoni and Turkson, respectively prefect the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, as well as by masters of ceremonies, other Vatican staff, some 75 journalists and of course, security personnel.

Pope Francis is scheduled to spend one and a half days in each country; in Nairobi, Kampala and Bangui he will celebrate Mass with the faithful, hold meetings with political and religious authorities, exchange views with the bishops, spend time with the poor and the needy, meet with the youth, participate in ecumenical encounters.

In Kenya he will also address leaders and staff of the United Nations; in Uganda he will celebrate the Ugandan martyrs; in war-torn CAR he will open Bangui Cathedral's Holy Door in a powerful gesture leading up to the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

One of Pope Francis' last commitments before he boards the Papal plane bringing him back to Rome on November 30, will be a visit to Bangui's Central Mosque for a meeting with the Muslim community.

( Source ICN )

Blessed Pope Paul VI In Uganda 1969.......
 
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Gnarwhal

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I'm especially happy to hear that he's going to Uganda. They're very near and dear to my heart over there and I think the country is in dire need of some guidance from the Church in light of all the negative evangelical influence they've had the past several years.
 
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Stabat Mater dolorosa

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I'm especially happy to hear that he's going to Uganda. They're very near and dear to my heart over there and I think the country is in dire need of some guidance from the Church in light of all the negative evangelical influence they've had the past several years.

I think that the Vatican are in dire need of some orthodox guidance as found in Africa aswell if not more so than the other way around.
The African church maybe the purest part of our church right now and I suspect future historians to give Africa a lot credit for reminding the western world of the true Christian message as found in the gospels.

I really pray my face blue that the pope to succeed Francis may be African, hopefully Cardinal Robert Sarah (personal favorite and hero).
The day a black man is being elected pope, is the conclave that Im sure the entire church cheers on Earth, in heaven and in Purgatory.
Not to mention the fact that a black pope would be the most visible and beautiful way to see that finally our evangelising efforts in the past where indeed successfull.

BUT, for now I pray that our holy father Pope Francis may be blessed with a safe trip and hopefully even greater insight in the african church, its roots and its orthodoxy.

For our brethren in Africa and for our Pope Francis I pray to Mary,

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee,
blessed art thou amongst women and
blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of our death.
Amen.


Sancta Maria - Ora Pro Nobis!!!
Amen.
 
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Gnarwhal

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I think that the Vatican are in dire need of some orthodox guidance as found in Africa aswell if not more so than the other way around.
The African church maybe the purest part of our church right now and I suspect future historians to give Africa a lot credit for reminding the western world of the true Christian message as found in the gospels.

I really pray my face blue that the pope to succeed Francis may be African, hopefully Cardinal Robert Sarah (personal favorite and hero).
The day a black man is being elected pope, is the conclave that Im sure the entire church cheers on Earth, in heaven and in Purgatory.
Not to mention the fact that a black pope would be the most visible and beautiful way to see that finally our evangelising efforts in the past where indeed successfull.

BUT, for now I pray that our holy father Pope Francis may be blessed with a safe trip and hopefully even greater insight in the african church, its roots and its orthodoxy.

For our brethren in Africa and for our Pope Francis I pray to Mary,

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee,
blessed art thou amongst women and
blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of our death.
Amen.


Sancta Maria - Ora Pro Nobis!!!
Amen.

I know that I can't speak to what the Vatican needs and whether the church in Africa can provide it, but I know that charismatic evangelicalism has wrought utter havoc in Uganda, having influenced the legislation that means life imprisonment and possibly death for homosexuals. I'm not saying homosexuality is right, but I think those ends are well beyond anything Christ would have us do.

Evangelicals and charismatics like the International House of Prayer actually target Uganda because they think it has some kind of significance to God's eschatological plan. So they invest a lot of resources in spreading their heretical doctrine and converting people to their brand of Christianity. The problem lies in the fact that they weave it with a political agenda and the locals infer a course of action that requires them taking the law into their own hands.

I'm not saying you're wrong, and the circumstances in Kenya and the CAR could be significantly different from Uganda, I just think it would be beneficial for the Ugandan society of the Catholic Church's presence there received some love and support from Francis when he passes through. It might help steer their culture in a more balanced direction while maintaining good morals.
 
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Colin

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Pope Francis has sent video messages to the people of Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic, ahead of his visit which begins on Wednesday, 25 November.

The full transcript of Pope Francis' message to Kenya and Uganda follows:

Dear Friends, As I prepare to visit Kenya and Uganda later this month, I send a word of greeting and friendship to you and your families. I look forward to this time we will have together.

I am coming as a minister of the Gospel, to proclaim the love of Jesus Christ and his message of reconciliation, forgiveness and peace. My visit is meant to confirm the Catholic community in its worship of God and its witness to the Gospel, which teaches the dignity of every man and woman, and commands us to open our hearts to others, especially the poor and those in need.

At the same time I wish to encounter all the people of Kenya and Uganda, and to offer everyone a word of encouragement. We are living at a time when religious believers, and persons of good will everywhere, are called to foster mutual understanding and respect, and to support each other as members of our one human family. For all of us are God's children. A highlight of my visit will be my meetings with young people, who are your greatest resource and our most promising hope for a future of solidarity, peace and progress.

I know that many people are working hard to prepare for my visit, and I thank them. I ask everyone to pray that my stay in Kenya and Uganda will be a source of hope and encouragement to all. Upon you and your families I invoke God's blessings of joy and peace!

In his video message to the Central African Republic, where he will arrive on 28 November, Pope Francis spoke of his joy at visiting Africa for the first time and in particular CAR.

The Holy Father said: "Your dear country has for too long been affected by a violent situation and by insecurity of which many of you have been innocent victims. The goal of my visit is, above all, to bring you, in the name of Christ, the comfort of consolation and hope. I hope with all my heart that my visit may contribute, in one way or another, to alleviate your wounds and to favor conditions for a better, more serene future for Central Africa and all its inhabitants."

Pope Francis then reminded them that the theme of his visit is "Let us pass to the other side", saying that it invites Christian communities "to look ahead with determination and encourages each person to renew their own relationship with God and with their brothers and sisters to build a new, more just and fraternal world".

At the heart of the Holy Father's six-day journey, taking him to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic is his desire to bring a message of peace, reconciliation, dialogue and the impetus to overcome internal divisions.

In war-torn CAR he will open Bangui Cathedral's Holy Door in a powerful gesture leading up to the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

One of Pope Francis' last commitments before he boards the Papal plane bringing him back to Rome on November 30, will be a visit to Bangui's Central Mosque for a meeting with the Muslim community.

Source: VIS
 
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Pope Francis in Africa:


The warmth and gentleness with which he interacted with the children, moms, and a nun touched my heart so much, and it inspired me.

In my moments of self-doubt, I sometimes wonder if I am too old to make a difference. I am working, of course, and believe that what I do as a communicator and in my volunteer work is making a difference, but I see people my age (and younger) who are retired, and I am torn by the desire to retire and the desire to keep making a difference in a substantial way (I would always seek to contribute to a better world).

And then I see Pope Francis, 13 years older than me, transforming the world, transforming the Church, and I think, "There's still work for me out there." I think it was the little stumble he took...it reminded me of my fall in Asia that sent me to the ER (his stumble was much smaller). It reminded me that hey, he's an old guy, showing old guys and girls how much they can still give.
 
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