St. Adolf, a Holy Cross Parish in Kanyabacope in the Diocese of Fort Portal, Uganda, was inaugurated on 26 November 2023. Before an assembly comprised of Fr. Cyprian Binaka, C.S.C., Superior of the Province of East Africa, other priests and brothers of Holy Cross, diocesan clergy, government leaders, and over 3,000 lay people, the official letter and decree were read confirming the“birth” of this new parish and the naming of Fr. Ronald Kawooya, C.S.C., as its first Pastor.

Fr. Isaiah Mayombo, Vicar General of the Diocese of Fort Portal, led the Eucharistic Celebration, which coincided with the Solemnity of Christ the King. In his homily, he highlighted the sacramental coming of Christ in the parish family and exhorted the people to pray and work hard for the growth of their family of faith.

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Carved out of St. Jude Thaddeus, a parish run by Holy Cross in Kyarusozi, the new parish of St. Adolf is in a region where many Holy Cross religious have served, including Fr. Richard Potthast, C.S.C., Fr. James Burasa, C.S.C., and Fr. Francis Mukasa, C.S.C., whose contributions and pastoral leadership, especially in the area of evangelization, were highlighted in the celebration. The government and other faith leaders present commended the mission of God carried out by the Congregation of Holy Cross and re-emphasized the need for collaborative ministry in spiritual and developmental initiatives.

The new parish represents the fulfillment of the dream of the people in Kanyabacope to have a parish closer to them. The work continues to build up and develop the parish, as a fundraising drive was held to work towards the construction of a parish hall and health center. Those planned facilities will be sources of hope, providing the community with education, catechesis, and medical services.