Rt. Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha 58-year-old archbishop appointed in Uganda
Rt. Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha, the Auxiliary Bishop of Mbarara, was appointed by Pope Francis as the new Archbishop of Mbarara last week.
Archbishop Bainomugisha takes over from Most. Rev. Paul K. Bakyenga, who retired after 22 years in the role having reached the canonical retirement age of 75.
His 58-year-old successor was born in Kashumba and was ordained a priest in 1991.
He carried out his pastoral ministry in Rubindi, Mbarara before going to Canada in 1994 to complete his doctorate in Canon Law.
Upon his return, he served from 2000 to 2005 as chancellor of the archdiocese then auxiliary thereafter.
Myanmar extends public Mass ban until May 15
Church officials in Myanmar have extended the suspension of daily and Sunday Masses plus other liturgical ceremonies until the middle of May.
State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi announced the extension of the rules and directives issued by the national central committee on the prevention, control and treatment of Covid-19 last week.
“Catholics are urged to participate in Sunday Masses spiritually from home and to say the rosary, read the Bible and pray,” Bishop John Hsane Hgyi of Pathein said.
Bishop Alexander Pyone Cho from Pyay, meanwhile, urged parishioners to participate in Masses online this month.
Indonesian diocese defends ‘cheated’ villagers
Ruteng diocese in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province has attacked government plans to give an operating licence to a limestone quarry and cement factory.
Fr Marthen Jenarut says indigenous people in Lingko Lolok and Luwuk are being cheated out of their land and could be left homeless.
“The Church is not against investment,” he said, “but the Church wants to make sure that justice is upheld, human dignity is respected and the environment is not damaged.”
The priest claims villagers were duped into accepting just US$669 each as a down payment for their land and that no effort had been made to resettle or offer them an alternative livelihood.
Catholic groups in Chile help stranded Bolivian workers
Shelter, food and aid is being offered to hundreds of Bolivian seasonal farm workers in Chile by Catholic groups after their country closed its borders.
Red CLAMOR coordinated with networks like the Chilean Catholic Institute for Migration, Archdiocese of Santiago and Caritas Chile to arrange for shelter and meals at local parishes for the locked out Bolivians.
“It’s our Gospel duty to welcome the stranger,” said Auxiliary Bishop Cristián Roncagliolo of Santiago. “But we know that’s not enough because there are many more people that still need be in lockdown in order to later return to their country.”
Bishop launches campaign to welcome home Venezuelans
A new campaign has been launched by a bishop in Venezuela to encourage hospitality towards citizens who are arriving home from neigbouring Colombia.
Alto Apure, Bishop of the diocese of Guasdualito, said the reason for the ‘I do not mind, he is my brother’ campaign in collaboration with Caritas and the diocese of Arauca in Colombia is to motivate solidarity to those in need.
“We can turn into an opportunity,” he said. “We must awaken the sensitive heart we have and share from our poverty, from our need. “We want to invite this people, who are hospitable by nature, to be welcoming.”