O God, whose Son the Good Shepherd laid down
his life for the sheep: We give you thanks for your 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 seated with the cross of Christ, who died and rose
again, and now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen. *
It seems
that every so often when I'm reading the office for the day, I find myself
reading about people who existed within my life span. It kind of amazes me, but
then, the call of God and the responses to that call are not that uncommon even
in the in this age.
Janani Luwum born in 1922 and was a schoolteacher just prior to his conversion in 1948. He rose through the ranks of the church from lay reader to becoming a priest in 1956. In 1969, after study in Britain, he was named archbishop of Northern Uganda.
It was a precarious
time in Uganda. Not only were ordinary Christians in danger from 1971 on, when
a dictator and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Uganda, staged a coup against
his predecessor, Milton Obote, the Prime minister. The usurper was Idi Amin,
and his name and reputation are still known today as one of the most lethal and
cruel of dictators. He distrusted anyone who did not support him, and
frequently those people disappeared without a trace. Soldiers were shot in
their barracks because Amin feared they too might try a coup against him as he
had done to his predecessor. Foreigners were forced to leave, and Christians
were killed for little or no reason. It was a perilous time, a time full of
fear and a time to keep your head down and try not to attract attention. James Kiefer gives an inspiring biography of Janani Luwum that speaks of his life and struggles.
The name of
Idi Amin was very familiar in the 1970s for his cruelty, treachery, and
brutality. It was hard not to see him in somewhat the same frame as a Hitler.
In his 8-year rule, over 300,000 Ugandans were massacred, among them was
Archbishop Janani Luwum in 1977. After his kidnapping, he was said to have
continued preaching and calling the Amin regime to repentance for the crimes
and injustices they had perpetrated. His death came through beatings, torture,
and finally, a gunshot.
When the
casket containing his body was opened in his home village, the level of atrocity committed upon him
was undeniable. His courage in speaking out against a corrupt and evil regime and
his faith encouraged his people and his faithfulness in the face of death had a
powerful impact on the people of Uganda, and many who had forsaken Christianity
returned to the faith, encouraged by the memory of Archbishop Luwum and others
who had been martyred for their own faith.
I remember
hearing about the atrocities Amin had called down on his own people. It was
almost too sickening to read and hear about, but it was in the news with great
regularity during those days of repression and oppression with a dictator who
caused mass murder and genocide without compunction, without regard or even
remorse. There were several in the world at that time, and now even now reading
about the times when these atrocities were happening is still stomach churning
and nauseating. But then there are those who like Luwum who stood up against
all odds and in total danger of losing their lives for their cause. That is a
reason for celebration. These were people who took the words of Jesus
seriously, the words about caring for one another and loving their brothers and
sisters even until death. He died a martyr's death, and is considered a martyr for
the faith today, especially in his home country of Uganda but now also
recognized around the world.
We often
run up against things that overwhelm us. This past week yet another school
shooting took place, in Florida this time, and young people, the fruits of our
generation and our children's generation, the future leaders of our country, were
mowed down for some almost inexplicable reason. This time, it was by of a young
man of 18 years of age who believed a hate group that sought to create an all-white
society. It's sick. There have been a number of school shootings just since the
first of the year and many young people have died because of people who wanted,
like Amin, to rule their way and without any opposition. It is sad, and more
than sad, it's tragic. We haven't seen another Amin yet, but that is not to say
there is not one rising somewhere, and we cannot say where that somewhere is.
It's not
easy to be a martyr. By martyr, I mean people facing real danger, real life and
death situations, not just people whose opinions and beliefs other people don't
accept. Martyrs pay with the price of blood that has been shed by the hands of
evil. Luwum knew this and yet he continued, just like others have done. He
trusted that God would care for him and would give him the strength and the
ability to face whatever had to be faced so that others could be free and safe.
Every time
I read of a new martyr that I have heard very little about, I wonder if I would
ever have to face a similar situation or if I would have the courage of Luwum
if I found myself in a similar situation. It is hard to know how any of us would
react to facing evil and maintaining our faith as we face any instrument of
death. Jesus showed us, and Luwum followed that example. His death gave us a
new example of faith in action. I wonder, with all that's going on in the
world, all the turmoil, the deaths of innocents, and the wannabe rulers of the
world growing in strength and cunning, if we will have to make that choice and
face that evil.
I will try
to keep Archbishop Janani Luwum in my mind as a person of faith, character,
strength, and most of all faith. I think if I (and we) could look to examples
of Christians like him, I (and we) might find the strength to try and overcome
the problems that we face today in a world of violence, oppression, and fear.
May God
bless Janani Luwum with peace that he did not have on earth and with a place
with the angels surrounding the throne of God whom he trusted and never denied.
God bless.
Originally published at Speaking to the Soul on Episcopal Café, Saturday, February 17, 2018.
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