Rev'd James M. Hairston

 “O God, whose Son the Good Shepherd laid down his life for the sheep: We give thee thanks for thy faithful shepherd Janani Luwum, who after his Savior’s example, gave up his life for the people of Uganda. Grant us to be so inspired by his witness that we make no peace with oppression, but live as those who are sealed with the cross of Christ, who died and rose again, and now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”

 – Collect from Holy Women, Holy Men

Archbishop Janani Luwum was the Primate of Uganda from 1974 – 1977. He was an highly educated clergyman who also fought for the rights of the people of his nation. During his entire time of service (diaconate through bishopric), there was tremendous lack of stability in the nation. There was a revolving door of presidents and dictators. However, perhaps the most infamous dictator, Idi Amin came into power in 1971.

Archbishop Luwum would speak out against the crimes and atrocities of Amin’s regime towards to the people of Uganda. This would often placing himself at risk. On 17 FEBRUARY 1977, the Archbishop and other clergy (including Roman Catholic and Muslim clerics) were called to the palace of President Amin for suspicion of “treason.” All were released except Luwum. Luwum was discovered dead a short time later. His body was not released to him family for three weeks.

REFLECTION

In reflecting on the life of Archbishop Luwum, I can’t help but think about Archbishop Oscar Romero. Another cleric who was incredibly smart, placed at a high position of authority, but still performed the work of protecting “his sheep from the wolves.” Both were assassinated.  Archbishop Luwum could have hid behind his position as Archbishop like many others who have (and still do) done. He could have submitted to the worldly authority of Amin, like others were doing at the time.  However, he chose not to. He rather chose to fight on behalf of his people, and stand on the promises of God. He knew that God would protect him, even it would cost him his life.  During the midst of the battle between he and the Amin regime, he stated:

“I do not know how long I shall occupy this chair. I live as though there will be no tomorrow … While the opportunity is there, I preach the Gospel with all my might, and my conscience is clear before God.”

This is a reminder to me that in the end of the day, we all are accountable to God, especially his clergy. The priest is a representative of Christ on Earth (this is my Anglo-Catholic theological perspective on the role of priest), or as St. Thomas Aquinas would say “a minister of Christ.” As such, we are responsible for the souls of those entrusted into our care, and accountable to HIM who has ordained us since before we were even thought of.

As a result of Archbishop Luwum’s dedication to Christ’s call on his life, he will be forever remembered as a 21st Century Martyr, with a statue at Westminster Abbey accompanied with others martyrs such as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Archbishop Oscar Romero and Rev. Dr. Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

 – JMH+