BY JOACKIM KULE MUHESI
A mammoth number of people today thronged St. John, The Baptist Kasanga Catholic Parish in the Diocese of Kasese to pay tribute and bid farewell to the body of Rev. Fr. John Birungi Kithendere who died on Saturday, October 25, this year.
Fr. Kithendere, who died at the age of 65, was the first Priest to be ordained by the Bishop Emeritus Egidio Nkaijanabwo in 1989.
According to a report read by Rev. Fr. Vito Kule, the Chancellor of the Diocese of Kasese, Fr. Kithendere had been battling with pressure and myocardial infusion that led to his death on October 25, this year.
Fr. Kule regretted the loss of an active Priest, highlighting that he had served in many Parishes while fulfilling a number of tasks including becoming the Education Secretary in 1995 and appointee on the committee of translations of languages. Before his demise, he was serving as A curate at Kasanga Parish. The deceased also served as a teacher at St. John’s Minor Seminary in 1993 as well as acting as a Diocesan Youth Chaplain.
While preaching to the mourners during the funeral mass, Rev. Fr. Joseph Mbusa, the Diocesan Education Secretary, described the deceased as a Priest who remained resilient and strong in faith amidst the challenges that he could go through as well keeping the dignity of the Priesthood and putting God first in all his endeavours.
In his remarks, Rt. Rev. Francis Aquirinus Kibira, the Bishop of the Diocese of Kasese encouraged the mourners to always pray for the Priests in order for them to surpass the challenges that they come across.
Dr. Chrispus Kiyonga, who represented the political leaders, described the fallen Priest as someone who loved farming, encouraging the people to adopt the idea and grow more crops in order to fight against food insecurity in their homes.
A family report read by Pataki Kakoroghoso thanked the two Bishops, both the sitting and the retired together with the Priests who worked with the Late Fr. Kithendere until his demise.
ENDS