Archbishop of Gulu Dr. John Baptist Odama has told pilgrims at Namugongo Catholic Martyrs Shrine, that the youngest and the oldest foot pilgrims who took the journey of faith to Namugongo Martyrs Shrine are the true martyrs of our times.
The Archbishop was the main celebrant at this year’s Holy Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations in Namugongo. He called upfront the two young foot pilgrims aged nine years from Mbarara diocese and Gulu Archdiocese respectively as well as 95-year-old Benardo Tibyangye from Bushenyi who trekked from Bushenyi.
Archbishop Odama in his Homily described the four pilgrims as the fruits of the obedience of the Uganda Martyrs adding that they are the martyrs of modern times.
He related the young ones’ faith to that St. Kizito and blessed Jildo Irwa, the youngest of the Uganda martyrs who he said remained strong and obeyed to god till their last breath.
Archbishop Odama challenged the Christians to remain obedient and desist from several immoral practices including corruption, sectarianism, murder, domestic violence and human sacrifice among others.
“Obedience is a constant call for holiness and I urge all of humanity to obey God. The young people, parents, elders – obey God always and everywhere” he said.
At the start of his Homily, Dr. Odama asked Christians to observe a moment of silence as they paid tribute to Kenyan and Soroti foot pilgrims who lost their lives during their pilgrimage to Namugongo. He urged Christians to pray for them.
