Bishop Kibuuka warns fellow religious leaders against milking followers to amass wealth

The leader of the Antiochian Eastern Orthodox Church Bishop Jacinto Kibuuka has warned fellow religious leaders against exploiting their followers for their own enrichment.

Speaking at a function where he ordained two new priests as Mamre Prayer center celebrated its third anniversary on Sunday, the leader of the Antiochian Eastern Orthodox Church said it is appalling that many religious leaders are bent on accumulating wealth through exploiting followers.

“My fellow religious leaders should not exploit, milk and steal from their followers for their own good. God does not call us to collect wealth and richness but preach the word without a price,” Bishop Kibuuka warned.

He explained that they are chosen to preach the word of God but not asking for money from followers but noted the existence of fake priests has painted a bad image onto religious leaders in the country.

“God says what we have got without a price must be given without a price. We should not milk our followers.”

The call by Bishop Kibuuka comes at a time when a number of pastors are accused of faking miracles so as to lure believers.

The mushrooming churches have also been accused of amassing wealth through exploitation of their believers by asking them for money so as to make miracles in their lives.

At the function held at Mamre Prayer Centre, Bishop Kibuuka also ordained two new priests, two deacons and six ministers.

The priests included Rev. Fr. Vincent Ssemanda and Rev. Fr. Charles Lwanga from Fortportal Centre whereas the deacons were Vincent Olwo and Dominic Twebaze.

Bishop Kibuuka also baptized over 1000 children and opened up 36 mission centres across the country.

He noted that the milestone was a clear manifestation that his church had grown.

“We praise God for the three years we have been in existence. This is a sign of great harvest,” he noted.

The Minister without Portfolio, Abdu Nadduli said President Museveni cannot stand in the way of any religion provided it does not violate laws.

“He (Museveni) has no problem with any religion as long as it sticks to God’s work and doesn’t involve its self in illegalities,”Nadduli said.

The Minister said he does not regret defending Bishop Kibuuka’s Mamre Prayer Centre amid calls by other religious leaders to ban the church.

Kibuuka was consecrated in 2017 to become the newest Evangelical Orthodox Catholic (EOC) Bishop in the history of this Church in Uganda a move that was condemned and protested by the Roman Catholic Church in Uganda.