"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ".
The Bishop guides the people God has entrusted to him with humility. His three ministries – teaching, sanctifying and governing – converge in a life of spiritual intimacy with the people of God in his diocese.
His governance insures that this ministry is based upon sacred scripture, tradition, liturgy, the official teaching authority, and the life of the Church.
Coat of Arms of the Archbishop
When a bishop in the Catholic Church is elected, he is given time to consult with his Holy Spirit to choose his Coat of Arms and Motto that will guide him in his service as a shepherd in his Diocese and the whole Church at large.
Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere had already chosen his Coat of arms and motto when he was elected the Bishop of Kasana – Luweero. They are the ones he will use as the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese.
This Coat of Arms and the Motto together with his signature will be appearing on every official document of Kampala Archdiocese.
MOTTO
This is written in church language “Latin” CRESCAMUS IN VITAM CHRISTI” (Let us grow into the life of Christ).
The Archbishop based this motto on St. Paul’s first letter to the Ephesians Eph 4:15 “If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow completely into Christ, who is the head”.
He wanted this motto to remind him of the year of St. Paul that was declared by Pope Benedict XVI in June 2008-June 2009 and it’s in this year that he was consecrated a Bishop. Surprisingly, the day of his installation falls on the day of the conversion of St. Paul.
- WATER: This is clearly seen at the bottom of the coat of arms. The water symbolizes the life that every baptized Christian gets from the Sacrament of Baptism. Nobody can live without water in his body
- COFFEE AND BANANA: Farming. This is an activity carried out by most people in the country and especially in our Diocese. The Archbishop strongly advises the people that agriculture is the main source of income.
- PALM LEAF: Martyrs: The Archbishop calls upon people of God to love the Uganda martyrs and take them as an example in strengthening their faith even if it means shedding blood as it was for the martyrs.
- HOLY EUCHARIST: The life of the Catholic Church is centered on the celebration of the Holy Eucharist for it is food for pilgrims.
- THE BOOK: This symbolizes the word of God that the Archbishop is going to proclaim both in word and deed.
- PASTORAL STAFF: Being the head of the Archdiocese, this is a symbol that he is ready to mind the sheep just as the Good Shepherd does.
- THE CROSS: The way of Christianity. This means that every catholic must follow this path and it should be his way that helps him to grow in faith.
- LETTER M: This symbolises Mother Mary. This is a sign that the Archbishop will hold on to Mother Mary for help during his pastoral ministry.
- THE MITRE Pastoral duties and victory: This means that Archbishop’s main goal is to lead all Christians to the Glory of God.
- THE SWORD: This means that the Archbishop sacrifices all that he has even if it is his life to safeguard the faith and the Christians that the Lord has granted him.
