Top Catholic officials have urged Christian faithful not to use the Parliament Chapel for worship until it is consecrated.
This announcement following the “secret deployment” of soldiers in both the Catholic and Anglican prayer places of Parliament on Tuesday as legislatures tabled a report on the controversial age limit bill.
The soldiers were accused of miss-using the “sacred grounds” when they vandalized music equipment, left dirty plates and cups as well as used mineral water bottles within both the chaplaincies after use.
They are unworthy for use in worship, the Archbishop Cyprian Lwanga is reported to have said, according to the Chaplain of the Catholic Chapel at Parliament, Reverend Father Phillip Balikuddembe.
The Daily Monitor reported Thursday that “Archbishop Lwanga directed that the Catholic Chapel should not be used for worship until it is consecrated again – a process of spiritual cleansing.”
The Newspaper said the Archbishop on Wednesday declined to officiate at the end of year mass of the Catholic community at the premises over the mater.
“What I found in the Catholic chaplaincy was total blasphemy. This is very unacceptable. We found the plates and carried them to this Chamber,” Hon. Tinkasiimire, one of several legislators outraged by the incident said on Tuesday.
“Places of worship should be kept free and safe for one to use at their convenience,” Leader of opposition, Winnie Kizza said.
“We need cleansing in our chapel in order for us to start the debate again. A place of worship is a holy place,” another MP said.
“Everyone is free to seek God including soldiers, Jesus fed people and He didn’t feed them in a restaurant, ” Minister Kibuule in defense of soldiers found in the parliament chaplaincy said then.
Concerning the tabled report, Parliament yesterday passed the constitution amendment bill, lifting the age limit cap for the President, returning the term limit for the President and extending the tenure of MPs from 5 years to 7 years.
By Staff Writer.
