For the past four years reports about conflict in the Diocese of Busoga and the Bishop, the Rt Revd Cyprian Bamwoze, have appeared in various papers and news services. The Province now writes the following report:
Busoga Diocese has been passing through testing times of strife and division since 1992. The House of Bishops and the Provincial Standing Committee have all along been seeking ways of reconciliation. The conflict has centred on Bishop Bamwoze who is the diocesan bishop.
Recently in July 1995 the two sides in the conflict agreed to work for reconciliation. A service inaugurating the reconciliation process was held on 3 February 1996 at Christ Church Cathedral Bugembe where Bishop Bamwoze has been barred from entering now for four years.
A statement agreed on for the reconciliation process provides that:
Bishop Bamwoze go on a sabbatical one year leave from 1 February, 1996 and that Archbishop Nkoyoyo become the caretaker of the diocese for the 12 months leave. Also that the diocesan cathedral and all property of the diocese be in the hands of the archbishop.
The statement was endorsed by the House of Bishops and now Bishop Bamwoze has started his leave. We pray for the on-going reconciliation endeavours.