Uganda’s Kasese Diocese launches historic St. Carlo Acutis Online Catholic Church

The Diocese of Kasese has taken a major step into digital evangelisation with the official launch of the St Carlo Acutis Online Catholic Church, aimed at reaching Catholics beyond physical boundaries.

The online ministry was inaugurated on December 26 2025 at Our Lady of the Assumption Kasese Cathedral during a Holy Mass presided over by the Bishop of Kasese, Rt Rev Francis Aquirinus Kibira Kambale. The celebration drew priests, diocesan leaders and a large congregation of the faithful.

In his homily, Bishop Kibira centred his message on love as the core of Christian living. He urged the faithful to love God, love others and respect themselves, explaining that authentic love for others flows from self respect grounded in God. He also challenged parents to take responsibility for guiding their children closer to God, noting that this begins with parents themselves loving God and valuing family life.

The bishop highlighted the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in helping Christians discern and fulfil God’s will. He encouraged believers to seek the Spirit daily and to grow in holiness through forgiveness, love and the witness of the saints, especially St Carlo Acutis. He reminded the faithful of the importance of the Eucharist, stressing that Christ desires to dwell within them.

Diocesan leaders explained that the St Carlo Acutis Online Catholic Church is designed to promote prayer and evangelisation through digital platforms. The initiative will serve Catholics living in the Middle East, Arab countries and other regions where access to physical parish life is limited, allowing them to follow Masses and diocesan activities online.

The launch ceremony opened with Bishop Kibira leading the congregation in chanting the theme for Uganda Martyrs Day 2026, which the Diocese of Kasese will animate on June 3. The theme, “Christ is alive in you and me,” was sung with enthusiasm by the faithful.

In a brief address, the bishop reflected on the life of St Carlo Acutis, presenting him as a model for evangelisation in the digital age. He recalled Carlo’s dedication to documenting Eucharistic miracles across the world and Marian apparition sites, including Kibeho in Rwanda, as a testimony of his deep love for the Eucharist.

The bishop encouraged Catholics to embrace St Carlo Acutis as the patron saint of Catholics online, calling on the faithful to use digital tools to grow in unity with God under his intercession.