The Vicar General for Kabale Diocese, Msgr John Vianney Sunday has urged Christians to show reverence to sacred times especially when they are for liturgical celebrations particularly Mass.
While presiding over Mass to celebrate the Bishop’s Annual Appeal Fund (BAAF) Climax for Rushoroza Cathedral Parish on Sunday, November 9, 2025, Msgr Sunday emphasized the need for spiritual renewal and integrity among believers. He cautioned Christians against turning the church into a marketplace, condemning those who show disrespect during Mass by attending to their phones instead of paying attention in Church.
He noted that many Christians are often distracted by their phones, texting, taking selfies, and making video calls during Mass. He emphasized that a Holy Mass and indeed all liturgical celebrations are sacred and must be accorded utmost respect and dignity, warning that those who are not spiritually ready to participate should always stay back rather than distract others.
He likened those who distract others while in prayer especially during Mass to those who were selling items in the Temple whom Jesus drove out and cleansed the Temple. He further reminded the Christians of their moral and spiritual obligation to support the Church in its mission of evangelization and charity.
In that spirit, Msgr. John Vianney Sunday thanked the faithful for supporting their Church where they are dedicated to God through the sacrament of baptism through which the faithful are consecrated and dedicated to God, forming part of the universal Church founded on the apostles, a community of believers with enjoying both rights and responsibilities.
This year’s BAAF was decentralized to Parish level where each parish in Kabale Diocese would complete pending projects or start new project. Our Lady of Good Shepherd Rushoroza Cathedral Parish dedicated it’s BAAF to refurbishing the Cathedral floor with terrazzo.
Fr. Austen Christmas, Parish Priest of Rushoroza Cathedral Parish said that as Parish, their BAAF target was 129m. By the end of the function, a total of 137,789,800 shillings was raised with only one million shillings and 100bags of cement in pledges.
Fr. Austen thanked all the parishioners for their generosity in supporting Church programs especially the members of Small Christian Communities, out stations (hiikas) and institutions within Rushoroza Cathedral Parish as well as the well wishers who contributed to raise the 137m which was collected.
He noted that works of refurbishing the Cathedral floor with terrazzo were to commence immediately, but were postponed to early January 2026 because the Cathedral is expected to host major Diocesan activities in like the climax of Jubilee Year celebrations in November and the Catholic Charismatic Renewal conference facilitated by Fr. John Baptist Bashobora in December.
The Senior Presidential Advisor on Agriculture, Peace Rugambwa, used the opportunity to invite religious leaders to remain united and speak with one voice as the country approaches the forthcoming general elections. She explained that unity among faith leaders is essential in guiding communities towards peace and development.
Rugambwa assured the congregation that she would engage the President to increase agricultural support in the Kigezi region, particularly in Kabale District where land scarcity and reduced soil productivity have become major challenges. She noted that the government is committed to promoting modern farming techniques and improving soil fertility.