Here is where Dr. Lwanga has been laid to rest
NEWS EDITOR
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TODAY Thursday April 08th 2021at 3pm sharp, the body of Archbishop Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga was lowered into a magnificent grave dug inside St. Mary’s Cathedral Lubaga amidst tears from family members, the clergy, the laity and friends.
Lwanga 68, was pronounced dead on 3rd April 2020 a day to the commemoration of Easter.
At a historic function led by Bishop Anthony Zziwa of Mityana Diocese, attended by the Papal Nuncio to Uganda, Their Lordship the Bishops, H.E the Vice president of Uganda Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, Nabaggereka Sylivia Nagginda, Buganda Kingdom Premier Charles Peter Mayiga, NUP Principal Robert Ssentamu Kyangulanyi among hundreds of dignitaries, there was a lot of uniqueness as Archbishop was sent off.
Also click this story: ‘LOOK UP HERE, I’M IN HEAVEN’: LAST HOUR OF ARCHBISHOP CYPRIAN KIZITO LWANGA
With the aide of our reporters’ sharp eyes, we bring you these special rights which many of you had not notified during the burial of this great servant of God;
LWANGA BURIED IN CHURCH
It’s true he is not the first to be buried in church but this is not common. He was buried on the right-hand side, between the graves of Joseph Kiwanuka and Bishop Edward Michaud.
Kiwanuka served as the Archbishop of Rubaga from 1961 until his death in 1966, while Bishop Michaud served as the apostolic vicar in Tabora in Tanzania before being transferred to Uganda in 1932. He died in 1945. Lwanga becomes the third to be buried in church. Almost 98% of mourners at Lubaga had never attended burial inside a church either at Lubaga or in any other church. This indeed was unique. Catholic Church says, this isn’t idolatry but a tradition of the church. The living and the dead are uniting in the Mass. Many bishops are likely to be buried in church.
BURIED LEGS FACING THE ALTAR
Another peculiar thing, when the laity dies, often the head is put facing alter so that when he raises, he will raise facing the alter. For the case of Archbishop Lwanga, he was buried his legs facing the Altar and the head facing the congregation, the people.
This signifies that he will always be joining them in commemorating Mass.
PASTORAL STAFF
Archbishop Lwanga was buried with a Pastoral staff. It is also called a Crosier. It’s a staff with a curved top that is a symbol of the Good Shepherd and is carried by Bishops. It is an insignia of their ecclesiastical office.
This is the stick which he has been moving with as a Shepherd of Lubaga Archdiocese. This symbolises that he has been a Bishop and even in Heaven he is accepted for his pastoral work.
WHITE BAPTSIMAL CLOTH
White is the color of purity and wearing a white garment during baptism symbolizes that the person being baptized now has a clean slate in the eyes of God. Christians believe everyone is born with “original sin” which is only washed away through baptism.
The baptismal garment is a white garment either worn from the beginning of the ritual or given after pouring or immersion. In Catholic Baptism, the White Garment signifies that the newly baptised has put on Christ. This white cloth, like the one he put on while getting baptised was covered on Dr. Lwanga’s casket to signify that he was baptised.
THE BIBLE
Lwanga was buried with a Catholic Bible that includes the whole 73-book canon recognized by the Catholic Church, including the deuerocanonical books. This Holy book was put on his casket meaning he was proclaiming the word of God.
BURIED WITH THE HOLY CHALICE
In Roman Catholicism, a chalice is a standing cup used to hold sacramental wine during the Eucharist (also called the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion).
The Holy Chalice, also known as the Holy Grail, is in Christian tradition the vessel that Jesus used at the Last Supper to serve wine. The Synoptic Gospels refer to Jesus sharing a cup of wine with the Apostles, saying it was the covenant in his blood.
This is where they put the consecrated wine in the blood of Christ in Church. The Holy Chalice was buried with Archbishop Lwanga signifying that he has been a priest who has been celebrating Mass.
THE PURIFICATOR
The purificator (purificatorium or more anciently emunctorium) is a white linen cloth which is used to wipe the chalice after each communicant partakes. It is also used to dry the fingers and the lips of the celebrant and to wipe the chalice and paten after the ablutions which follow Communion. This was also put on Archbishop Lwanga’s casket as a symbol for cleaning the Chalice that has been buried with him.
THE CROSS
The Cross is the principal symbol of the Christian religion, recalling the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the redeeming benefits of his Passion and death. The cross is thus a sign both of Christ himself and of the faith of Christians. It was placed on Lwanga’s casket and went down with him.
LWANGA CHOSE SUCCESSOR
Although Dr. Richard Mwebe the Principal Private Secretary to the Archbishop said the new Archbishop will be decided by the Holy Spirit, the deceased has gone after identifying one. Then who is that? We will know in time. If the Pope dies or retires, there is a conclave where all Cardinals congregate to elect a new Pontiff. For the Archbishop, it will be the Holy Spirit to guide. No special meeting will be held to elect Lwanga’s successor. The reigning Bishops are always requested to send two or three names annually to Rome, names of those who can succeed them. Now from the names Lwanga already sent, Rome will look into them and pick one of them, or any other bishop who isn’t on this list. The newly appointed Archbishop will preside over 70 parishes in Kampala Archdiocese with membership of over 4 million Catholics.
BURIED AT THE SAME DAY HE WAS ORDAINED A PRIEST
43 years back on 9th April 1978, Cyprian Kizito Lwanga was ordained a Priest at a function held at the same church where he was today buried! This is so unique.
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