Editor
Monsignor Sunday John Vianney, the Vicar General of Kabale Diocese, strongly criticized the prevalent culture of excessive alcohol consumption among the public. He delivered his message yesterday during his sermon at Our Lady of Fatima Chapel at the Mother House in Rushoroza, coinciding with the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima, which is observed annually on May 13th.
This feast commemorates the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to three children – Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinto – while they were tending sheep in Portugal in 1917. Amidst the festivities, Reverend Sister Maria Tumuheirwe, who serves at Karoli Lwanga Hospital – Nyakibale in Rukungiri District, celebrated her 25 years of ministry, expressing gratitude to God for her service.
Drawing heavily from the Gospel according to John (2:1-11), where Jesus turned water into wine at his mother Mary’s request, Monsignor Sunday highlighted the detrimental effects of excessive alcohol consumption. He lamented that it often leads to a loss of self-control, and consciousness, and contributes to a surge in domestic violence cases within society.
Monsignor Sunday also noted that alcohol consumption poses a challenge to clergy members, hindering their effectiveness in spreading the word of God. He stressed the importance of self-reflection and repentance among Christians to combat this vice.
Reverend Sister Scholastica Kyobutungi, the Superior General of the Daughters of Our Lady of Fatima, emphasized the significance of commemorating such occasions as reminders for religious sisters of their responsibility to pray for society. She urged Christians to embrace God’s teachings and welcome the Blessed Virgin Mary into their lives to overcome earthly challenges.
