On 31 May 2024, an official reception and presentation of the ‘Premio San Giovanni Paolo II’ took place at the headquarters of the John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre in Kampala. The event was attended by members of the board of the religious congregations that make up the centre, staff and invited guests representing ecclesiastical and civil authorities, as well as representatives of partner institutions. A special guest was Archbishop Luigi Bianco, Nuncio of the Holy See in Uganda.
The participants were welcomed by the director of the centre, Alfred Avuni. He stressed that the award given by the John Paul II Vatican Foundation to the Kampala centre was recognition of the work of many people and cooperation with many partners.
Fr Leonard Olobo C.S.C., who as chairman of the centre’s board attended the award ceremony held at the Vatican on 22 May 2024, then spoke. He said that the award is first and foremost a recognition given to the centre for disseminating Catholic social teaching combined with providing concrete assistance to people in need. The award of this recognition of Church-wide significance came as a surprise to the management and staff of the Kampala centre. At the same time, it brought much joy and satisfaction that their work at the local level had been recognised and appreciated by the John Paul II Vatican Foundation. In this way, the centre’s mission of building justice and peace in Uganda was also reaffirmed. The speaker recalled the founding ideas of the centre and its main areas of activity: i.e. defending human rights, working against human trafficking, promoting social justice and peace and spreading concern for the environment. He stressed that this award further obliges the centre to draw knowledge and inspiration from the teachings of St John Paul II. It provides motivation to continue the work and overcome difficulties. He expressed the hope that the award will also contribute to the expansion of the group of partner institutions supporting, also financially, the activities of the centre in Kampala.
Father Olobo recounted his audience with Pope Francis. During their meeting together, Father Olobo introduced the activities of the John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre. He stressed that the Holy Father listened attentively and asked several questions about Uganda and the Centre’s activities. The meeting was also attended by Monsignor Pawel Ptasznik, President of the John Paul II Vatican Foundation, and Professor Hanna Suchocka, a member of the Award Chapter. Father Leonard Olobo went on to describe the course of the award ceremony at the Vatican. He shared that during his stay in Rome, he was repeatedly asked about the centre’s activities and the social role of the Church in Uganda.
Father Olobo also talked about his stay of a few days in Poland. He visited the shrine of the Black Madonna in Częstochowa, and was also in places associated with Karol Wojtyla. He got to know Wadowice, where he visited the Museum of the Family Home of St John Paul II, and the Marian shrine in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, where Karol Wojtyła used to make pilgrimages when he was young and when he was archbishop. In Krakow, Father Olobo visited the Shrine of the Divine Mercy and the Shrine of St John Paul II. He also visited Wawel Cathedral, St Mary’s Church and the Palace of the Archbishops of Krakow at 3 Franciszkańska St. He also visited the Wieliczka Salt Mine. He met with Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, who donated a relic of St John Paul II to the centre in Kampala. Father Olobo announced that a chapel will be built at the John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre, where staff, volunteers and faithful will pray, also through the intercession of St John Paul II, for respect for the dignity of every human being, for justice and peace in Uganda and the world.
Monsignor Charles Kasibante, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Kampala, then took the floor. He congratulated the board members and staff of the centre on receiving the award. He also did so on behalf of Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere, Metropolitan of the Ugandan capital. Father Kasibante stressed that the foresight that accompanied the religious congregations that founded the centre, but above all the daily service and commitment of its staff, had been rewarded. He said that St John Paul II was distinguished by his wisdom and love for people. The best way to remember him is to act in the same spirit and with the same faith that he followed in his life. Bringing his figure closer to Ugandans means, along with referring to his teaching, taking concrete action to put the Pope’s indications into practice in everyday life and in the social sphere.
The Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Luigi Bianco, noted in his speech that the celebration of the Premio San Giovanni Paolo II is also an opportunity to reflect on the significance of this long pontificate. Cardinal Karol Wojtyla was elected Pope at the age of 58, still quite young, hence he travelled a lot, visiting many countries. The Nuncio recalled his visit to Uganda, which lasted almost a whole week, i.e. from 5 to 10 February 1993. Archbishop Bianco referred to John Paul II’s visit to the shrine of the Ugandan martyrs in Namugongo. The martyrs show the truth that Christian faith in God is linked to love for people. From his first encyclical ‘Redemptor hominis’ (1979), John Paul II taught this truth. It was a constant point of his pontificate, because Christ demands of his disciples respect for every human being.
At the end of the meeting, a sculpture of the award and a commemorative diploma were presented, and photos of Fr Olobo’s audience with Pope Francis and the award ceremony at the Vatican were shown. Participants also went to a nearby garden to plant a commemorative tree. It will serve as a reminder of the joyful moments associated with receiving the award. It is to be hoped that this award conferred by the John Paul II Vatican Foundation will also serve as an inspiration for the board members and staff of the John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre to continue their fruitful activities and take on new challenges in the future.
Rev. Andrzej Dobrzyński
Fot. John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre in Kampala
Video recording of the meeting in Kampala, 31 May 2024