PREPARATIONS to commemorate the death of Bishop James Hannington in Busoga Diocese are underway. The ceremony will take place on October 28 at Kyando in Mayuge district, where Bishop Hannington was killed on October 29, 1885 by the locals on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga. Hannington was the first Anglican Bishop in eastern and central Africa.
The Jinja Archdeaconry, which is one of the five archdeacons in Busoga Diocese, is spearheading this year’s celebrations, according to Rev. John Bamugemereire, an archdeacon.
The day’s theme will be: ‘Sacrifice Yourself for Christ’.
For those of you who don’t know it, James Hannington and his companions, martyrs, are commemorated on the TEC calendar. In the book of Lesser Feasts and Fasts, a summary of his ministry appears, including the story of his martyrdom. His last words were ment for the ruler who had them arrested, abused and tormented in prison, and finally executed: “Go tell Mwanga I have purchased the road to Uganda with my blood.”
Here is the collect for his feast, October 29:
“Precious in your sight, O Lord, is the death of your saints, whose faithful witness, by your providence, has its great reward. We give you thanks for your martyrs James Hannington and his companions, who purchased with their blood a road into Uganda for the proclamation of the Gospel; and we pray that with them we also may obtain the crown of righteousness which is laid up for all who love the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
Thanks for the information, BfB.
Might we want to listen to the witness of those for whom James Hannington and his companions gave their lives and blood so as to make a road into Uganda? The road is a two-way street. Uganda witnesses to us today. Let us listen to the results of James Hannington and companions’ martyrdom and validate their sacrifice.