Kampala– The Anglican Church in Uganda is ready to ordain Female Bishops, a move that could usher in the most substantial change to the highest order of ministry in Uganda.
The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev Dr Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, reiterated the call during the Easter Sunday Service at All Saints’ Cathedral, Kampala as he was reflecting on the role of women in the Church.
He recollected that women were the first people to see the risen Lord, which makes them the very first evangelists in biblical history.
He adds that women have put all their efforts right from the family ministry to several other roles, despite the obstacles that threatened their elevation.
Archbishop Kaziimba noted that in the secular world, women have already shown potential in rising to all high offices and have served well, an indication that they can as well be trusted with high offices in the Church.
“The time is ripe, these females have served well everywhere they have been deployed. Personally, I am impressed by them. They can certainly make good bishops if it’s the will of God,” the Archbishop reaffirmed during a side interview at the end of the service.
He notes that the leadership of the Church of Uganda is not opposed to women bishops although he expressed worry that there is a movement, which includes women, that put a moratorium on female bishops.
The words and thinking of the Archbishop on the issue have left many churchgoers happy with those in attendance clapping in support of the suggestion.
But, these must have been most welcomed by the three women priests who were behind the altar at that very moment including Rev. Canon Dr Rebecca Margaret Nyegenye, the Provost of All Saints Cathedral, Kampala, one of the highest-ranking female priests in the Church of Uganda who says ordaining a female bishop is long overdue.
According to her, the Church has produced female clergy most of whom have exhibited the potential to take on the role.
The provost says that regardless of their gender, all ministers in God’s Church deserve to be given equal opportunities while deciding who to take any role in the Church so long as they meet the set requirements.
Many Anglican provinces across the world have already opened up to the women to be ordained bishops.
For instance, last year, the Anglican Church in Kenya approved Emily Awino Onyango who was appointed Bishop in the Diocese of Bondo becoming the first female Anglican bishop in the East and Central Africa.
Source: URN
