Cardinal Wamala implores society, grandchildren to respect the elderly custodians of knowledge

By Jjunju Francis

23^rd July 2023

His Eminence Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala has advised the grandchildren to respect the elderly because they are custodians of knowledge.

In his message to the grandparents and the elderly during the celebrations of their day today at St. Peter’s Parish Nsambya Cardinal Wamala said the elderly or grandparents have passed through a lot, challenges, opportunities, achievements and struggles which has given them lessons to tell and pass on to others.

If only young ones knew this they would not at any one time abuse, ridicule or disrespect the grandparents and the elderly because their knowledge and experience is a guide and support to the grandchildren and youth are who are troubled by the societal problems in the world today.

He says the youth or grandchildren need to accept challenges that come along with life of the grandparents and the elderly or older persons, love, support and take care of them.

Cardinal Wamala now 96 years of age, came to pray and give support to the congregation during the mass to celebrate the grandparents and elderly day at St. Peters Parish Nsambya.

The Parish Priest of St. Peter’s Parish Nsambya Fr. Joseph Semanda Balikudembe applauded the grandchildren in the parish for their plan along with Nsambya Hospital who have organized a health camp to treat simple illnesses of the older persons saying this gives them hope and courage that they are still cared for.

Pope Francis announced the day of grandparents and the elderly in 2021 and dedicated them to the grandparents of Jesus St. Joachim and Anna. It is observed on the 4^th Sunday of July in the Catholic Church world over with the intention to give them hope, love and prayer because they had been abandoned yet their contribution to the world is enormous. The theme for his year is “His mercy is from age to age” from (Lk. 1:50).