Apostle Alex Mitala (Courtesy Photo)
Celebrating people who died for their faith is okay, but praying to them and worshiping them is evil, Apostle Alex Mitala has said.
During an exclusive interview with a state linked news daily, Apostle Mitala said nobody should think that the Ugandan Christians who were murdered for their faith between 31 January 1885 and 27 January 1887, and later declared saints, will pray to God on their behalf.
“No body should pray to saints asking for anything or requesting the saints to pray for them because that is theologically wrong
“Jesus is quoted in the bible saying (John 14:6): “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
“Our brothers and sisters should learn that it is one thing to die for one’s religion and it is another to die for Christ. Dying for your religion does not necessarily mean you have died for Christ.
“We see Buddhists, Muslims and others dying for their religions. That does not mean they die for Christ and even if you argued that they died for Christ, the Bible does not allow us to ask them for anything,” he told the New Vision in an article published 3rd June, 2019.
Each year on 3rd June, believers from all walks of life in Uganda and other countries gather in Namugongo to celebrate the Uganda Martyrs, a group of 23 Anglican and 22 Catholic converts to Christianity who were executed on orders of Mwanga II, the Kabaka of Buganda.
The day is considered a holiday across the country.
Apostle Mitala told the New Vision: “Jesus told His apostles that whatever they pray, they pray to Our Father who art in heaven and through Him (Jesus), but not to anyone else. Therefore, praying to the saints is wrong. Nobody should think that St Kizito will pray to God on their behalf.
“More so, selling medallions, rosaries and all other images in the name of intercession is broad day theft. We have also seen some pastors selling water, rice, trees and many other things to people. These are practices that must be condemned. Those things have nothing to do with people’s spiritual lives.”
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article’s headline incorrectly read as “Praying to saints is biblical – Apostle Alex Mitala”. The headline should have been “Praying to saints is unbiblical – Apostle Alex Mitala.” The Management of Uganda Christian News extends its sincere apologies to the Ministry of Apostle Alex Mitala, related stake holders and readers for the error.
