Bishop Tibaijuka Emphasizes Prudent Living Over Extravagant Weddings
In a recent pastoral visit to St. James Church of Uganda (COU) in Bubandi, Bundibugyo District, Reverend Barnabas Tibaijuka, the Bishop of West Ruwenzori Diocese, called on Christians to avoid extravagant weddings. Bishop Tibaijuka, who assumed his role on August 22, 2023, and has since officiated 21 weddings and confirmed 368 Christians, expressed his concern over the rising trend of cohabitation among couples due to the inability to finance extravagant weddings.
During his visit, Bishop Tibaijuka emphasized that he aims to promote marriages that don’t require exorbitant spending, even suggesting the idea of conducting mass weddings on an annual basis. He stressed that in the face of the current economic challenges, it is crucial for Christians to embrace a lifestyle that aligns with their financial capabilities.
The Bishop’s primary message to Christians is that the focus should be on finding the right life partner rather than mobilizing vast resources for lavish weddings. He believes that the true essence of marriage should not be overshadowed by the material aspects of the ceremony.
Furthermore, Bishop Tibaijuka addressed the security situation in the Rwenzori region. He highlighted the threat posed by suspected members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels and called on the government to implement stringent security measures to counter these suspected rebels.
Jolly Mbambu, a beneficiary of the mass wedding initiative, commended the effort and proposed extending it to rural areas where numerous couples are willing to marry but lack the means to do so. This initiative is seen as a practical way to promote marriage and discourage cohabitation due to financial constraints.