2003

Monday 2nd June 2003
Regional Celebration for Anglicans and Catholics
The fifth annual ecumenical service commemorating the Feast of the Ugandan Martyrs will be held tomorrow night (June 3) at All Saints Anglican Church in Singleton.

On 3 June 1886, 26 Anglicans and 22 Roman Catholic young people were burnt by order of the Ugandan king because they refused to compromise their common Christian faith and morality.

About seven years ago the Australian Anglican and Catholic bishops (at the suggestion of the Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue group AUSTARC) decided that it was an important ecumenical gesture to celebrate the Feast of the Ugandan Martyrs together.

AUSTARC recognises that at the local level, personal contact and prayer are the engines that keep ecumenism alive. Its mission is to encourage theological reflection, prayer and personal encounter between Anglicans and Roman Catholics.

Mr Kevin Hincks, Chairperson, Anglican Diocese of Newcastle Ecumenical Commission says that the story of the Ugandan Martyrs is very unique.

"Usually martyrs from a single denomination will die for their faith. In the case of the Ugandan Martyrs, two of the largest Christian communities share in the martyrdom of a group of young men. This is a very important symbol for the Ecumenical movement".

According to Mr Hincks, the Feast of the Ugandan Martyrs challenges all Christians to stand up for their faith. "The Ugandan Martyrs were 'ordinary' Christians - not theologians or bishops - in service of the King's court. They stood up for their faith together. Being prepared to defend our faith together is an important symbol of and mission for the Churches today".

"June 3, 1963 is also the death date of Pope John XXIII who is a highly respected figure in both Churches because he convened the Second Vatican Council - an event that has had a huge influence on the progress of the ecumenical movement."

Bishop Michael Malone, Bishop Roger Herft and members of the Anglican and Catholic communities in the Hunter region will attend tomorrow night's ecumenical service for the Feast of the Ugandan Martyrs.

The occasion, which falls in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, is an initiative of the Anglican and Roman Catholic Ecumenical Commissions.

All people are very welcome to attend.

Regional Celebration for Anglicans and Catholics
All Saints Anglican Church, Singleton
Tuesday 3 June @ 7:00 pm

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