Church Leaders Warn Against Division, Call for Unity Among Christians

Christians attending Pentecost Sunday celebrations at Kitanga Parish and Our Lady of Good Shepherd Rushoroza Cathedral Parish have been urged to trust the Holy Spirit to guide them in fulfilling the Kingdom of God through peace, unity, and love.

‎While preaching at Kitanga Parish, Parish Priest Fr Marius Byamukama reflected on the Gospel of John 20:19-23, where Jesus appeared to His disciples after the resurrection while they were gathered behind locked doors in fear.

‎In his homily, Fr Marius said the disciples were afraid, discouraged, and uncertain after the death of Jesus, but the risen Lord came among them with the message, “Peace be with you.”

‎He explained that Jesus understood the pain, fear, guilt, and disappointment the disciples were experiencing and responded not with condemnation, but with mercy, forgiveness, and peace.

‎Fr Marius said the Gospel remains relevant today because many Christians continue to live behind “locked doors” of fear, sickness, sin, disappointment, family conflicts, financial struggles, and hopelessness.

‎“But the risen Jesus can enter even where doors are closed. No problem is too difficult for Him and no heart is too wounded for His mercy,” he said.

‎He added that when Jesus showed the disciples His wounded hands and side, He demonstrated that suffering can be transformed into victory and testimony.

‎“The pain we carry today can become the source of strength and hope tomorrow,” Fr Marius noted.

‎The priest reminded Christians that every believer has a mission to spread peace, forgiveness, love, and hope within families, communities, parishes, and among those who feel forgotten.

‎He further emphasized the importance of the Holy Spirit in transforming lives, saying the Spirit changes fear into faith, weakness into strength, and sadness into joy.

‎Fr Marius challenged Christians to reflect on whether they allow Jesus to enter their lives with His peace and whether they spread peace or division among others.

‎Meanwhile, preaching during the morning Pentecost Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Good Shepherd Rushoroza Cathedral Parish, Rector and Parish Priest Fr Austen Christmas centered his message on unity and oneness among Christians.

‎Fr Austen described the Holy Spirit as the spirit of love and urged believers to live in harmony and respect one another.

Quoting fellow priests Fr Kwitonda and Fr Rutinaki, he said church leaders rejoice whenever Christians remain united and cooperative.

‎“When we hear that Christians stay together in unity and harmony and respect their leaders, we are overjoyed,” he said.

‎Fr Austen warned Christians against becoming agents of disunity in communities, associations, and institutions, saying the Holy Spirit calls believers to speak with one voice and live in accord.

‎He cited student strikes that disrupt schools as examples of actions that promote division rather than peace.

‎The priest further explained that true peace cannot be found in wealth alone without the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

‎“Even if people have all the money, without the Holy Spirit they cannot have peace. But money with the Holy Spirit brings peace to families and society,” Fr Austen said.

‎The two priests jointly called upon Christians to open their hearts to the Holy Spirit and become ambassadors of peace, unity, forgiveness, and love in society.

END