KISORO: Thousands Gather at Mutolere Parish Church as Deanery is Commissioned as a Pilgrimage Centre.
By Richard Akandwanaho.
Thousands of Catholics on Sunday gathered at St. Mary’s Mutolere Parish Church, Mutolere Deanery Kabale Diocese as one of the Diocesan Pilgrimage centres in the Jubilee Year 2025. They gathered from the 8 parishes of Nyagisozi, Gatete, Rubuguri, Muhanga, Gisoro, Sooko, Kinanira and Mutolere and made a Pilgrimage from Friday May 9 to Sunday May 11, 2025.
The Pilgrimage centre was commissioned by Msgr John Vianney Sunday, Vicar General of Kabale Diocese having been delegates by Bishop Callist Rubaramira by opening the Principal Door of Mutolere Parish Church so that people can go through as pilgrims of Hope.
Preaching during Mass, Rev. Fr. Fidel Ndagijimana, the Pastoral Coordinator for Kabale Diocese said that the purpose of the pilgrimage was to obtain a plenary indulgence attached to it in this Jubilee Year 2025 which is being celebrated under the theme Pilgrims of Hope. He said that according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), an indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven (CCC 1471). For one to be granted indulgence (plenary or partial) three conditions must be fulfilled and these are Sacramental confession, reception of Holy Eucharist and praying for the intentions of the Pope.
Fr. Ndagijimana emphasized the importance of spiritual renewal through the Sacrament of Penance and encouraged Christians to sacrifice for eternity rather than short-term worldly pleasures.
He also decried the decrease in the effectiveness, influence and importance of parents in raising and guiding their children (decline in the role of parenting). He said many modern day parents are less engaged in their children’s lives, education, or emotional well-being, which undermines right child’s nurturing. He further noted that some parents struggle to set boundaries, discipline, or provide guidance, leading to a lack of respect or obedience from children. He advised parents to take full parenting responsibility if their children are to become future impactful citizens if the nation.
Mr. Asigariyo Turyagyenda, the Mutolere Deanery head of Laity commended the Kabale Diocese and Bishop Callist Rubaramira for the pilgrimage program part of the Jubilee Year 2025, which aims at restoring hope among many Christians essential for a better church and community. He also commended the Diocese for fostering development through many people centered initiatives through the Caritas department among others.
Rev. Fr. Joseph Sebatwale, the Dean Mutolere Deanery, encouraged the congregation to use the opened Holy Door to influence a spiritual change in their lives for a better change and harmonious families.
Msgr. John Vianney Sunday thanked the priests of Mutolere Deanery for accompanying their Christians to the pilgrimage and for preparing them wel through the he sacrament of Penance in order to receive the plenary indulgences attached to th pilgrimage. He also thanked the pilgrims for their sacrifice and urged them to remain acclamatized to Jesus. He also urged them to pray for a increase in vocations to priesthood, religious life and married life.
Kabale Diocese has already opened a pilgrimage center at Makiro Parish in Kanungu district for parishes of Makiro, Karambi, Rutenga, Nyamwegabira, Kambuga, Butogota, Rushoroza and Nyamirama all in Makiro Deanery.
The second pilgrimage center was opened at Nyakibale Parish in Rukungiri District for the of Rwengiri, Rwamagara, Rutooma, Christ the King, Nyakibale, Ndama and Buyanja all in Nyakibale Deanery.
The third centre to be opened is Mutolere Parish in Kisoro district, having been opened on Sunday, thousands of Catholics from parishes of Mutolere, Gatete, Gisoro, Rubuguri, Kinanira, Sooko, Muhanga and Nyagisozi which make up Mutolere Deanery.
Similar Pilgrimage Centers will be opened at Rubanda Deanery on Sunday, May 25, followed by Kitanga Deanery on June 1, Bukinda Deanery on June 8 and Rushoroza Deanery later in August this year.
After the pilgrimage program on Deanery level, Kabale Diocese will later launch other areas of Pilgrimage at Namugongo and Munyonyo from June 26-28, 2025), then Kibeho from August 6-8 and to Rome from October 3-11 through Fatima in Portugal.