Catholic Archbishop Lambert Bainomugisha has raised concerns about the Bakaiso devotion in a letter addressed to the clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Mbarara. This devotion, which originated under the Uganda Martyrs Guild, has garnered attention in recent years. However, pastoral agents in the Archdiocese of Mbarara, particularly within the Ibanda Deanery, have expressed reservations regarding its beliefs and practices.
The Archbishop’s communication highlighted observations that suggest the Bakaiso movement may introduce elements that disrupt Catholic pastoral ministry and Christian life within certain parishes. This prompted the Archbishop to caution against hastily embracing the devotion.
The Bakaiso devotion refers to a spiritual movement or practice that originated within the Uganda Martyrs Guild. Over time, it has evolved into a distinct form of devotion followed by certain individuals within the Catholic Church, particularly in regions like the Mbarara Ecclesiastical Province in Uganda. The adherents of the Bakaiso devotion are sometimes referred to as Bakaiso.
The Uganda Martyrs Guild itself is an organization within the Catholic Church that honors the memory of the Ugandan Martyrs, a group of 23 Anglican and 22 Catholic converts to Christianity who were executed for their faith between 1885 and 1887 in present-day Uganda. The guild serves as a platform for promoting devotion to these martyrs and preserving their legacy.
Founded within the context of the Catholic Church in Uganda, the Uganda Martyrs Guild plays a major role in fostering spiritual growth and commemorating the sacrifices made by the martyrs. It organizes various activities such as prayer sessions, pilgrimages to martyrdom sites, and educational programs to raise awareness about the martyrs’ lives and teachings.
The guild also serves as a community for Catholics and other Christians to come together in fellowship and solidarity.
While the exact nature of the Bakaiso devotion may vary, it generally involves specific beliefs, prayers, and practices unique to its followers. However, concerns have been raised by pastoral agents within the Catholic Church, particularly in the Archdiocese of Mbarara, regarding certain aspects of the Bakaiso devotion.
These concerns primarily revolve around the potential for the Bakaiso devotion to introduce elements that disrupt traditional Catholic pastoral ministry and Christian life within local parishes. As a result, the Archbishop of Mbarara has issued a circular cautioning against hastily embracing the Bakaiso devotion until a thorough study of its beliefs and practices is conducted.
Until such an evaluation is completed and any potential issues are addressed, the Archbishop has instructed that the Bakaiso devotion and its adherents are not permitted to operate within the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Mbarara. This decision is aimed at maintaining the integrity of Catholic pastoral ministry and ensuring the spiritual well-being of the faithful.
The circular served as a warning to pastoral agents within the Archdiocese of Mbarara to refrain from endorsing or promoting the Bakaiso devotion until a thorough study of its beliefs and practices is conducted. The Archbishop emphasized the importance of ensuring that any new apostolate or devotion is in alignment with the teachings of the Catholic Church and contributes positively to the spiritual growth of the faithful.
The archbishop concluded the letter by expressing gratitude for the cooperation of the clergy, religious, and lay faithful in adhering to the directives outlined in the circular. He imparted blessings upon the recipients and invoked God’s guidance and protection.
