Christians Participate in The Way of The Cross and Hold Joint Prayers at Old Kampala
On Good Friday, thousands of believers gathered at Old Kampala SS grounds to hold joint prayers under the Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) to mark Good Friday, in commemoration of the death of Jesus on the cross.
UJCC is an interfaith / ecumenical body in Uganda which unites three major churches/ Christian denominations including the Roman Catholic, orthodox and the Anglican Church.
The Roman Catholic Church which was led by His Grace Paul Ssemogerere the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese Uganda started at Lubaga Cathedral and walked to Old Kampala where the joint prayers were held.
The Church of Uganda which was led by the Archbishop of Uganda Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu and Assistant Bishop, Dr. Hannington Mutebi started at All Saints Cathedral Kampala to Old Kampala.
The joint Easter message, centered around the theme of “do good, seek justice, and prepare for judgment,” was read to the faithful who took part in the ecumenical public way of the cross at Old Kampala playground.
Archbishop of the Church of Uganda His Grace Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, who was also the main preacher of the day, emphasized the importance of following Jesus’ teachings and abandoning any unrighteous practices, urging believers to strive to do good.
Kaziimba also urged the faithful to embrace the love for one another, citing Mark Twain’s words that love is a language understood by the deaf and seen by the blind. He emphasized that love requires sacrifice from the faithful and reminded everyone to always do good, refrain from greed and corruption, and not be tempted by the love of money.
The practice of the “Way of the Cross,” is a devotional exercise that involves meditating on the events leading up to Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and death. Participants may carry a physical cross or simply walk from station to station, reflecting on the significance of each moment in Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice.
By participating in the Way of the Cross, Christians seek to deepen their understanding of Jesus’ sacrifice and to draw closer to him in prayer and contemplation. The practice is a powerful reminder of the central message of the Christian faith: that Jesus Christ gave his life out of love for humanity, and that through his death and resurrection; he offers the gift of eternal life to all who believe in him.
