Black History Month - Archbishop Janani Jakaliya Luwum
Name – Janani
Jakaliya Luwum
Born – 1922
Died – 17th
February 1977 (aged 55)
Veneration – Anglican Communion
Feast – 17th February
Luwum was born in the village of Mucwini,
Uganda. Converting to Christianity in 1948, he went to Buwalasi
Theological College. He was ordained a deacon in 1953, and the
following year he was ordained a priest. In 1969 he was consecrated Bishop of the
Diocese of Northern Uganda. After five years he was appointed Archbishop of the
Metropolitan Province of Uganda, Rwanda,
Burundi, and Boga (in Zaire), becoming the
second African to hold this position.
Archbishop Luwum was a leading voice of
criticism the Idi Amin regime that assumed power in 1971. He delivered a note
of protest to dictator Idi Amin against the policies of arbitrary killings and
unexplained disappearances. Shortly afterwards the archbishop and other leading
churchmen were accused of treason.
On 16th February 1977, Luwum was arrested with two other cabinet ministers. Radio Uganda
announced that he had been killed in a car crash. When Archbishops Luwum's body
was released to his relatives, it was riddled with bullets. He was survived by
his widow and nine children.
His statue stands over the west entrance to
Westminster Abbey.
Links –
Comments
Post a Comment