The Archbishop of Kampala, His Grace Paul Ssemogerere, has issued strict new directives concerning the liturgy and celebration of the Eucharist within the Archdiocese.
Announced during the solemnity of the Holy Trinity celebrations at Lubaga Cathedral, the Archbishop’s orders aim to restore reverence and order in liturgical practices, particularly concerning the sacred items and rituals of the Catholic Mass.
One of the key directives bans the purchase of hosts and altar wine from supermarkets or other unapproved sources.
These sacred items, central to the celebration of the Eucharist, must now be purchased exclusively from designated Catholic Church outlets, such as procures and the Pauline Sisters’ shop along Kampala Road.
Additionally, the Archbishop specified that hosts used in the Archdiocese must be produced by specific religious communities, including the Immaculate Heart of Mary Reparatrix Sisters of Ggogonya, St. Charles Lwanga Bannakalooli Brothers, and the Daughters of Mary Sisters of Bwanda in Masaka.
On the subject of choirs, Archbishop Ssemogerere emphasized that only choirs officially recognized by the parish priest are allowed to participate in liturgical celebrations.
Furthermore, individuals or groups claiming to be choirs but not officially known within the parish are no longer acceptable.
Choir members must be dressed appropriately for their roles, wearing gowns for women and kanzus or gomesi for men, which are traditional local attires, while animating the Mass.
All songs sung during Mass must be drawn from the approved hymn book, MTO.
Any new liturgical compositions must be approved by the Archdiocesan music committee and made known to the faithful.
The Archbishop also addressed concerns regarding the behavior of the congregation during Mass.
He clarified that Mass is not a concert but a sacred liturgical service focused on the Eucharist, where Catholics connect with God and participate in the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ.
To maintain the sanctity of the service, Archbishop Ssemogerere urged that unnecessary movements, receiving of mobile phones, clapping, and long queues during offertories should be avoided.
These practices, he noted, must be in line with the guidelines set by the Vatican, the seat of the Catholic Church.
The Archbishop’s directives reflect his commitment to preserving the reverence and sanctity of the liturgy, ensuring that all aspects of the Mass reflect its true purpose as a sacred celebration.
By Gideon.P. Ssebulime
18th June 2025
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