I leave behind a united flock , says Busoga bishop

Church of Uganda Archbishop Stanley Ntagali (2nd R), hands over the pastoral staff to Bishop Paul Naimanhye during his enthronement at Christ’s Cathedral, Bugembe in Jinja, on Sunday. Looking on is former Busoga Diocese Bishop Michael Kyomya. PHOTO BY DENIS EDEMA 

Jinja- Former Busoga Diocese Bishop Michael Kyomya has lauded Christians in the diocese for the unity exhibited during his 15-year tenure, saying it will form the basis for further development of the ministry.

Achievement
Dr Kyomya, who handed over the pastoral staff to Bishop Paul Naimanhye at Christ’s Cathedral Bugembe on Sunday, said he is happy that he was leaving behind a united flock having assumed office at a time of turbulence and in-fighting among Christians, who had earlier been polarised into the pro and anti-Bishop Cyprian Bamwoze factions.

“The time I was elected as bishop, my first thought was to convene reconciliatory meetings across the diocese to urge Christians to re-unite around Jesus Christ our master but God worked out everything and I saw people massively and happily attending the consecration,” he said.

Speaking to Daily Monitor in an interview prior to the handover on Sunday, Dr Kyomya pointed out that there was later no reason or justification to proceed with the reconciliatory meetings that he had earlier planned.

“From then (consecration) on, it was total unity and I did not have to call meetings of reconciliation as I had earlier thought. I am happy that I am leaving a united flock,” he said.

The 65-year-old urged Christians to love his successor as they loved him and support his brainchild, the team system, which requires Christians in the diocese to willingly and voluntarily contribute at least twice a year to the day-to-day running of the Diocese.

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