Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala Advocates for Catechists' Well-being in Diocesan Health Initiative

Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala Advocates for Catechists' Well-being in Diocesan Health Initiative

By Baraka John                      

While addressing the Catechist's evaluation meeting last Friday in Curia, Bishop Hiiboro Kussala suggested that the diocese should formulate a policy to certify catechists with health insurance cards that can permit them access to health care in all the Catholic health facilities of the diocese. 

“It is the obligation of the diocese to offer proper care for Catechists in the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, citing their tireless work in shaping the faith of Christians”

He described Catechists as cornerstones of the Catholic Church saying Catechists strengthen faith through teaching of the Holy Bible.

“We have a hospital of which we can have a special arrangement. For example, if a Catechist is visiting the hospital, he or she should have a card to help facilitate his or her treatment –with special consideration”. Bishop Hiiboro revealed

“I acknowledge the great work and commitments of the Catechists in the diocese. They are playing a great role in opening the eyes and minds of Christians through the word of God. I can say Catechists are very important, because the first clergy which was created by the missionaries as they came was the Catechists, before the priesthood”, he added.

He further said that it is unfair for Catechists to struggle with health complications while there are Catholic health facilities in the diocese, stressing that Catechists should have different considerations when approaching health facilities of the diocese. 

The CDTY Bishop also revealed a plan that will see the diocese stepping up efforts to care for retired Catechists –through the provision of housing, and medical care among others.

“When Catechists retire, people tend to forget about them, and they remain helpless with no roof on him and nothing good for him. Now in my case, it’s difficult for me to know that a Catechist from a certain parish has retired and needs help. Therefore, it is our collective responsibility as a diocese to come up with plans for this kind of initiative”.   

In his address, Barani Hiiboro emphasized the importance of documenting the works and biographies of all the living and the perished Catechists for their recognition through their work.

According to the CDTY pastoral coordinator, there are 663 Catechists in the Diocese.