Church unveils 2000kg crucifix

Believerspray at the crucifix atOur Lady of Africa, MbuyaParish in Nakawa Divisionyesterday. PHOTO| PAUL TAJUBA

monitor

By  Monitor

What you need to know:

  • Father Mondo said the crucifix measures 50 feet, while the image of Jesus Christ is 15 feet. The whole crucifix measures 2000kg and is considered the biggest in Africa.
  • He said the mahogany out of which the crucifix was curved was 500 years old and was originally used as a shrine for fallen Buganda Kingdom kings. It was cut from Wakiso District.
  • Father Mondo said the crucifix is estimated to have cost Sh500m but the figure would have been higher had it not been for the services of volunteers.

Kampala

The Catholic Church has erected a Ush500m (Ksh17m) crucifix at Our Lady of Africa, Mbuya Parish in Nakawa Division.

Father Paulino Mondo, the assistant parish priest, told this newspaper that the cross as a symbol of faith is necessary as protection against HIV/Aids, wars, unemployment and rampant accidents, among others, that have continued to affect Ugandans.

Also Read

“We hope with this crucifix, things will change. We have a lot of hypocrisy among politicians,” Fr Mondo said yesterday.

“Even Daily Monitor needs this cross because you have been closed and later opened for talking the truth,” he added.

The crucifix in religious denominations represents Jesus’ death and resurrection.

THE BIGGEST IN AFRICA
Father Mondo said the crucifix measures 50 feet, while the image of Jesus Christ is 15 feet. The whole crucifix measures 2000kg and is considered the biggest in Africa.

He said the mahogany out of which the crucifix was curved was 500 years old and was originally used as a shrine for fallen Buganda Kingdom kings. It was cut from Wakiso District.

Father Mondo said the crucifix is estimated to have cost Ush 500m ( Ksh 17m) but the figure would have been higher had it not been the services of volunteers.

Father Mondo explained that with the new crucifix, people who have been trekking long distances to Mt Zion Prayer Centre, Bukalango and other worship centres will now pray from Mbuya.

Mr Patrick Loti, the designer of the crucifix, said since he offered a free service to build the Cross, he has received blessings which has enabled him start a business.

This article was first published in the Daily Monitor

In the headlines