THE LITURGY DEPARTMENT

The Catechetical and Liturgy department is of great importance in the life of the Catholic Church and plays a central role in the life of Christians. Liturgy as a prayer, is not of human making but rather a creation of God Himself; It is God who made the initiative to meet man and God himself dictated the form of worship to be rendered to him by his chosen people the Israelites (Ex. 12: 1 – 14). 

Even at the birth of the Church, at Pentecost, the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and they began praising God and proclaiming the word of God in different languages (Acts 2: 1 – 13). The Liturgy Department then, which deals with the way the People of God worship their Creator, the manner in which the Church prays, is at the very heart of the life of the Church. This was also true at the very inception of the Archdiocese of Kampala –which formerly constituted two Dioceses, namely – Lubaga Archdiocese and Kampala Diocese.

This department is one of the very first departments at the birth of Kampala Archdiocese. It was first headed by the Late Msgr. William Mpuuga who had been appointed on 10th January 1966, by the late Archbishop Joseph Kiwanuka to lead the Catechetical and Pastoral Center which was located at Kiyinda Mityana. He did his duties as the head and at the same time teaching at the Catechetical and Pastoral Center and Lecturing in sacred Liturgy at St. Mbaaga major Seminary at Ggaba which was opened on 16th February 1976. Msgr. Mpuuga did this job with great love and dedication. He also used to give Liturgical workshops and Public Liturgical lectures in the whole Archdiocese of Kampala. He did a great job in translating the Roman Missal into Luganda, together with the Late Msgr. David Kyeyune who was the Pastoral Coordinator by then. 

During the 50 years of the existence of our Archdiocese, it is worth mentioning some people who have made a great contribution to the growth of the Liturgical life of our diocese especially in the area of Liturgical Music compositions. Among them, we have the following: Fr. James Kabuye who is presently in the diocese of Kiyinda Mityana, Fr. Vicent Bakkabulindi (R.I.P), Fr. Joseph Namukangula, Fr. Gerald Mukwaya, Msgr. Expedito Magembe, Fr. Augustine Mpagi, Mr. Joseph Kyagambiddwa (R.I.P), Mr. Benedicto Lubega, Mr. Ben .K. Jjuuko, Mr. George Ssebutinde, Mr.Ponsiano Ssali, Mr. Kayongo Biva Ponsiano (R.I.P). As time went on, this department was made into a commission: “The Catechetical and Liturgical Commission”. This was later changed to “Liturgy Departtment”

The Liturgical office has gone ahead to give Liturgical Catechesis and Church’s doctrine / Christian faith in all parishes in the Archdiocese. This has been done right from 2009 up to 2017 and it will be carried on. To enable the office to give these workshops, a team of trainers was formed which includes priests, Religious, catechists and lay Christians. Among them we cannot forget Mr. Charles Ssebugwawo who was called to rest by the Lord .