This is one of the uncaptured, yet most adorable highlights of the recent Heads of state visit to Uganda, at the swearing-in ceremony of President Yoweri Museveni for a five year term.
In photo is Tanzania’s President Pombe Magufuli reverencing the ring of Archbishop Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, a sign of recognition of spiritual authority.
Bishops wear a ring. In the past, a distinction was made between the pontifical ring (which would have a gemstone, traditionally an amethyst), and the ordinary ring (which would have the bishop’s coat of arms or some other design engraved on it). The ring, like a wedding band, symbolizes that the bishop is “wedded” to his diocese.
Also, the ring would be used, at least in days long ago, to make the imprint of the bishop’s seal in the hot wax to authenticate documents. Moreover, in Catholic tradition, to reverence or “kiss” the ring of the bishop as a sign of respect for his authority is still proper; interestingly, a partial indulgence was attached to the reverencing of the bishop’s ring.
Since being sworn in as Tanzania’s president on November 5, John Magufuli has been cracking down on corruption and wasteful spending, which are problems that continue to plague many African nations.
Among Magufuli’s measures includes cancelling Tanzania’s Independence Day celebration and instead using the nation’s funds to battle the cholera outbreak. Rather than celebrating Tanzania’s independence with an elaborate ceremony, Magufuli called on citizens to clean up around the country.
Much to the surprise of Tanzania and the world at large, Magufuli himself participated in these efforts by personally cleaning up the rubbish outside of the state house. He has banned unnecessary foreign travel for government officials. He reduced the cabinet from 30 ministers to 19. After witnessing patients sleeping on the floor at the state hospital in Tanzania’s capital, Magufuli fired the managing director of the hospital.
male@ugchristiannews.com
