The Hoima Catholic Diocese has urged discernment, as the Church meticulously evaluates the legitimacy of the claimed visions of Mother Mary.
This comes after devout followers, especially those of the Catholic tradition, are gravitating towards Rwensa Hill in Nyangahya Sub-County, Masindi District, spurred by reports of a miraculous appearance of the ‘Blessed Virgin Mary’ the Mother Jesus Christ.
The alleged seers assert that the Mother Mary implored couples living together to sanctify their relationships through the sacrament of Holy Matrimony, emphasizing the need for repentance and fervent prayers for the nation.
The news of the Mother Mary’s manifestation began to circulate three weeks ago, with Amon Guzima, the chairman of Rwensa Village, believed to be the initial witness while tending to his cattle.
Guzima recounts seeing a woman clad in white with a blue-striped collar, who gazed at him silently.
He reflected that he hesitated to reveal what he had witnessed, but when another woman reported a similar experience, he was compelled to come forward.
The news of the sighting rapidly circulated, attracting large groups to the location where they had been camping.
Fr. Patrick Museveni, the Communications Director of Hoima Diocese, emphasized the importance of exercising caution.
According to Museveni, numerous individuals are reporting various experiences with some claiming to have seen her with infants, while others describe a cloud.
He said the church is still interpreting all the alleged visions before making any conclusions.
He noted that should the evidence from Masindi Vicariate support “these reports”, the bishop may submit a request to the Papal Nuncio, who would then relay it to the Pope for consideration of designating Rwensa Hill as a pilgrimage site.
Currently, the only Marian apparition in Africa recognized by the Vatican is Our Lady of Kibeho in Rwanda, which occurred between 1981 and 1989.
Our Lady of Kibeho
Our Lady of Kibeho, also referred to as Our Lady of Sorrows of Kibeho, is a significant Catholic title for Mary, the mother of Jesus. This title stems from a series of Marian apparitions that occurred in the 1980s, witnessed by several young girls in Kibeho, located in south-western Rwanda. The visionaries included Alphonsine Mumureke, Nathalie Mukamazimpaka, and Marie Claire Mukangango.
These apparitions conveyed important messages to the schoolgirls, including a haunting vision of Rwanda spiraling into violence and hatred, which many believe foreshadowed the tragic events of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
In 2001, the local bishop officially recognized the authenticity of these visions, and the Holy See later confirmed Bishop Augustin Misago of Gikongoro’s approval of the apparitions.
During his visit to Rwanda in 1990, Pope John Paul II stopped in Mbare, Kamonyi, and Nyandungu, urging the faithful to seek guidance from the Virgin Mary as a “simple and sure guide” and to pray for unity and commitment to overcoming local political and ethnic divisions.
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