Summary:
Rev. Fr. Ndyomugabe clarified that Catholics do not worship statues but rather honor them as symbols of faith and devotion.
RUKUNGIRI: The Director of the Justice and Peace Commission in the Kabale Diocese, Rev. Fr. Balthazar Ndyomugabe, has refuted claims that the Catholic faith worships idols. Instead, he emphasized that Catholics worship the Lord God in accordance with the First Commandment.
Rev. Fr. Ndyomugabe, who also serves as the Chaplain of Karoli Lwanga Hospital in Nyakibale and the Spiritual Director of the Legion of Mary in the Kabale Diocese, dismissed these allegations while presiding over the commissioning of a newly constructed administration block at St. Jerome Secondary School, Ndama, in Kebisoni Town Council in Rukungiri District on Sunday. The event also included the unveiling of a statue of Saint Jerome and the inauguration of a shrine dedicated to the Holy Virgin Mary, featuring a statue imported from Italy.
In his homily, Rev. Fr. Ndyomugabe clarified that Catholics do not worship statues but rather honor them as symbols of faith and devotion. He explained that images of saints, Jesus Christ, and the Virgin Mary serve as reminders of the Church’s beliefs, hopes, and faith. He urged critics to respect Catholic traditions, just as Catholics respect the practices of other religious groups.
He further warned that no one has the right to dictate how Catholics should practice their faith, as every religion has its own doctrines and principles. He encouraged all religious leaders to preach God’s word with respect and harmony rather than seeking followers by condemning other faiths.
CUE IN REV. FR. NDYOMUGABE…ON CRITICISM…RR//ENG//
