WITHDRAW CASE AND APOLOGIZE TO ARCHBISHOP NTAGALI—HEAD OF LAITY, X-ANS TELL WEST ANKOLE DIOCESE CANONS

BY WILBER MUHWEZI

IN BUSHENYI—

A section of Christians of West Ankole Diocese who include the head of laity of the diocese Prof. Emmanuel Karooro yesterday castigated the 11 canons and Christians for taking the archbishop to court.

The group of about 15 Christians who included three retired Reverend canons called the group to withdraw their case immediately and apologize to the archbishop his grace Stanly Ntagali for the sin they committed .

The group held a meeting last evening at Ankole Resort Hotel in Bushenyi town and thereafter addressed a press conference at the same venue.

The chairman of the group called concerned christians of west Ankole diocese Misharch Niwabiine Bagarukayo told the press that the entire public should treat these canons and Christians as people are looking for their own personal recognition.

 

“These lay canons and Christians don’t represent the entire Christian community of west ankole diocese but are just looking for the personal mirage” Bagarukayo said.

He also wondered how members of diocese can sue the archbishop without the head of laity and the legal advisor of diocese –Chancellor.

Bagarukayo added that for them as concerned Christians of west Ankole diocese will be witnesses of the archbishop in court if the canons insist and don’t withdraw the case.

Tito Nsigireho a member of the synod from Mitooma district assured the archbishop that the Christians of west Ankole are behind him. He added that the canons who took him to court never consulted anybody in the diocese therefore should stay firm Christians are behind him.

Miria Muhwezi- a mothers union member told the press that she condemns in strong terms possible the canons who took to court the archbishop of the church of Uganda.

“We condemn in strongest terms possible these canons and christians who took to court the archbishop without first using church organs to solve their problems. This is unheard of”.

 

The chairperson of the group Misharch Bagarukayo told journalists that even some of these canons’ titles are questionable. He added majority of them were awarded the titles without following the right procedures by the immediate retired Bishop Katoneene.

“The majority of these canons who took the archbishop to court, their titles of canons are questionable. If you meet them at a hotel, instead of ordering for a cup of tea, they order for bottles of beer” Bakarukayo observed.

The concerned Christians against taking the archbishop to court include; Misharch Niwabiine Bagarukayo—chairman, Canon Prof. Emmanuel Karooro—head of laity of the diocese, Retired Rev. canons Mashanyu, Buremu and Babiika. Others are; Can. George Karikwiisa, Miria Muhwezi, Tito Nsingireho synod member, Mrs Kasimari, John Korutaro, Robert Katwire Waitanga, Paul Rwambangye, Christopher Mugumya among others.

On the other hand the canons and Christians that took the archbishop to court on Oct. 10, 2016 for assuming Episcopal jurisdiction over the diocese after the retirement of Bishop Katoneene when there was no successor are; Can. Christopher Kisembo, Can Yorakam Bashaasha, Can. Joram Tibasiima, Can Yorokam Batuna, Can. Ephraim Bamugyendera, Can. John Njoki.

Strong Christians are; Elly Kekuruso, Eliab Turyobingi, Emmanuel Karasi, Mbeera Lawrence and Elidad Kamuza.

The canons in court on Thursday secured an interim injunction stopping the archbishop from presiding over the diocese and instead justice Lydia Mugambe ordered that the diocesan secretary of west Ankole diocese Rev. Can Arthur Atwiine to run the diocese until Oct. 31, 2016 when the main suit will be disposed off.

The acting Bishop Rev. Atwiine told www.mknewslink.com editor that the responsibility court gave him to run the diocese may put him a collusion pass with the archbishop. “By the way am satisfied with my job as diocesan secretary however, we have to respect courts of law and government” Rev. Atwiine asserted.

He also noted that he met the archbishop immediately after the ruling and agreed to start a reconciliation process in the diocese.

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