As Mary Queen of Martyrs Mpala catholic parish was celebrating its 9th anniversary, Papal Nuncio Archbishop Augustine Kasujja was also celebrating his Golden jubilee in the priesthood and silver jubilee Episcopal ordination anniversary.
The ceremony happened on Sunday 16th, July at Mpala parish in Katabi town council, Wakiso district, and commenced with a holy mass led by Papal Nuncio Kasujja who also confirmed 310 children.
During the celebrations, believers contributed to wards the construction of the parish church and among them was the Katabi town council chairperson Ronald Kalema with 1m, Stephen Ssekigozi with 2m, the area member of parliament Charles Matovu with 1m, Mrs. Adrine and Mr. John Kasimbazi 1m among others.
Speaking to believers, Papal Nuncio Augustine Kasujja delivered warm greetings from the Kampala Archbishop Paul Ssemwogerere and also appreciated the parish for celebrating with him as well as the nice collaboration among themselves.
He also urged parents to spare time with their children in a way of guiding them on the right track to avoid tendencies of homosexual and other evils that may affect the young generation.
As the event moved on, there was exchanging of the parish executive committees, and the parish priest Fr. Joseph Kirumira appreciated the outgoing committee for the good services delivered and also asked the new committee to continue where they had stopped to make Mpala shine.
Stephen Ssekigozi praised the parish priest Rev. Joseph Kirumira for his guidance and great contributions towards the construction of the church and the development of the entire parish.
“You have done us well, we are so much humbled and blessed to have you as the parish priest plus other priests that help you in serving this great parish,” he added.
Who is Papal Nuncio?
The Emeritus Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Kasuja served in Algeria, Argentina, Haiti, Bangladesh, Portugal, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, where he was also in charge of all the islands in the Caribbean.
Born on April 26, 1946, Archbishop Kasujja is a Ugandan prelate of the Catholic Church, who served as a diplomat of the Holy See for many years. He was also the Apostolic Nuncio to Belgium from 2016 to 2021.
He was the first black African to hold the title of Apostolic Nuncio.
The third in a family of eleven children, Kasujja, was born to both Katalina Nanseko and Yozefu Naluswa in Mitala-Maria, Mpigi District.
Before joining Kisubi Minor Seminary between 1960 and 1965, he attended Ssango and Mitala Maria primary schools. He studied at the major seminary at Katigondo (1966-1967) and the Pontifical Urban University in Rome (1967-1974).
Ordination and service;
Archbishop Kasujja was ordained a priest on January 1, 1973, at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Upon return, he presided over his first Mass at his home Parish in Mitala-Maria in Mpigi District.
First appointment;
His first assignment was in Mubende District in 1974. Two months later, he fell sick, and after his treatment, he was posted to Katende in the same year.
After acquiring a doctorate degree in Theology, Bishop Kasujja entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in I979. His postings included Argentina, Haiti, Bangladesh, Portugal, Peru, Trinidad, and Tobago, Algeria, Tunisia, and Mauritius.
Pope John Paul Il appointed him titular archbishop of Caesarea in Numidia and Apostolic Nuncio to Tunisia and Algeria on May 26, 1998. He was the first black African to hold the title of apostolic Nuncio. He received his episcopal consecration on August 22, in Rubaga Cathedral from Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala.
On April 22, 2004, Pope John Paul named him Apostolic Nuncio to Madagascar and the Seychelles and Apostolic Delegate to Comoros and Reunion. On June 9, 2004, those responsibilities were added to those of the Nuncio to Mauritius.
On February 2, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI, (MHSRIP), appointed him Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria. Pope Francis, on December 13, 2013, added to his responsibilities the role of permanent observer to the Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS).
On October 12, 2016, Pope Francis appointed him Apostolic Nuncio to Belgium, adding the position of Nuncio to Luxembourg on December 7. He was the first non-European to occupy the Belgian posting. He presented his credentials to the king and the grand duke on February 2 and March 2. Pope Francis accepted his retirement on August 31, 2021.
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