By Jay Tumwesige
Fort Portal: Bishop Jimmy Katuramu, the Overseer of Pentecostal churches in Kabarole, has warned pastors to stop engaging in public wars and concentrate on preaching the gospel of God.
Katuramu warned that he will not hesitate to take action against the community of born again churches if a row among the churches spirals out of control.
Several pastors at Pentecostal churches in Kabarole, commonly called Born Again Churches, have been involved in public wars about their beliefs.
But Katuramu warned that internal bickering among church leaders is threatening the ministry of Jesus Christ and appealed to all those involved in the conflicts to settle their differences.
Katuramu said on Tuesday during a meeting with all pastors in Kabarole, Bunyangabu and Kyenjojo district held in Fort Portal that “Several pastors have been engaged in conflicts instead of sticking to their cardinal roles of preaching the gospel. We are determined to ensure that the freedom of worship is not misused to create disharmony in the church and all those engaged in conflicts must stop.”
He added that born again pastors should instead focus on addressing today’s challenges facing the church.
“We have to focus on addressing the challenges facing the church because many people are losing hope in some of the leaders and leaving the church we want unity and as leaders of churches if we preach unity then we should lead by example,” Katuramu said.
Bishop Katuramu, who also reconciled some of the warring pastors during meeting, said that pastors should embrace peace and unity.
Pastor Ronald Kizito of Living Spring Church in Fort Portal, said that he was happy that some church leaders have started embracing unity.
“We need to work together because we are all on one mission of winning the souls of people and if we get divided we might not achieve our mission,” Kizito said.
Stephen Asiimwe, the Resident District Commissioner for Kabarole, urged pastors to join the campaign of ending gender based violence in the district.
Asiimwe said that several families have fallen victim to gender based violence, a trend which continues to negatively impact family life and the participation of families in church activities.
“Born again churches in Kabarole district should put aside their differences and help believers overcome the evil of gender based violence,” Asiimwe said.
Asiimwe added that fighting the vice will offer an opportunity for children to grow into morally upright persons.
Asiimwe also noted that there was public outcry about escalating unregulated places of worships that are a threat to women, youth and children in Kabarole.
“Some churches are always open for the whole week and we wonder when their believers find time to go for work,” Asiimwe noted.
Asiimwe also said that there are claims that some churches prohibit their followers from accessing medical treatment; engage in noise pollution and operate makeshift structures that do not meet human safety precautions.
