Uganda Archbishop Tells of Growth
Episcopal News Service. August 10, 1978 [78221]
NEW YORK -- "The Lord in his grace has continued to strengthen his Church and to command us to move forward. Everywhere we get encouraging reports of sinners forgiven by the Savior, broken relationships restored, increased Church attendance and giving for the Lord's work, " says a letter from the Most Rev. Silvanus Wani, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and BogaZaire, addressed to the Episcopal Church in the United States and other partner churches throughout the Anglican Communion.
In assessing the situation of the past years the Archbishop says that the Church was "severely shaken" but that the whole experience has been accepted as "a fiery trial of our faith. " He adds that "many Christians are increasingly accepting their responsibility for sharing in the witness of the Church," and that "more young people are coming forward for full-time church ministry."
The Christians in Uganda have gone through a very difficult time that culminated with the assassination of Archbishop Janani Luwum while under custody of the government.
Although most religious groups, except Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Orthodox and Muslims, have been banned by the government, Archbishop Wani says that there is freedom of worship and an attempt is made to provide pastoral care for the members of the banned churches.
Training for ministry continues to be "an area of major concern," according to the letter. The Church of Uganda's Bishop Tucker Theological College in Mukono, outside of the capital, has approximately 150 students, men and women, studying at different levels.
To mark the first hundred years of the Anglican Church in Uganda, Anglicans are building a Church House in the center of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda.
The letter of Archbishop Wani was received here by the Department of National and World Mission of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church.