FEATURE: THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH AND THE CALL TO UNITY

Father David Kolo while leading mass at St. Josephs cathedral

By Biko Rombe

Gulu City

Pentecost, celebrated by Christians 50 days after Easter Sunday, commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and is widely regarded as the birth of the Church.

According to Christian teaching, the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in different languages while still understanding one another, symbolizing unity among believers despite their differences.

The feast is one of the most significant celebrations in the Christian calendar and is observed by churches worldwide as a reminder of the mission of the Church, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the importance of unity among Christians.

During Pentecost celebrations at St. Joseph’s Cathedral on today, Rev. Fr. David Kolo, the Curate of Gulu Cathedral, called on Christians to embrace unity, peace, forgiveness, and holiness in their daily lives.

Addressing hundreds of worshippers during his homily, Fr. Kolo described Pentecost as the “birthday of the Church,” saying Christians themselves form the Church founded through the coming of the Holy Spirit.

“I want to wish all of you happy birthday. Today the Church is born and who is the Church? It is you and me who are gathered together to worship God,” he said.

Fr. Kolo emphasized that the central message of Pentecost is unity, noting that the Holy Spirit enabled the Apostles to speak different languages without division among them. “The language is not to divide us but to unite us,” he told the congregation.

He challenged Christians to reflect on how they use their words and actions, warning against hatred, anger, unforgiveness, and division within communities and families. “Where there is unity, there is God. Where there is division, there is no God,” Fr. Kolo said.

The priest further urged believers to allow the Holy Spirit to transform their hearts and attitudes rather than merely identifying themselves as Christians without practicing the teachings of Christ. “It is not enough to say I am a Catholic and yet what the Church teaches I don’t follow,” he added.

Speaking about talents and professions within society, Fr. Kolo said all gifts should be used for the common good and to strengthen communities.

He noted that people are gifted differently as teachers, doctors, engineers, carpenters, and leaders, but all should work together in unity for the glory of God.

Congregants during Pentecost mass

Fr. Kolo also used the occasion to explain the importance of the sacrament of penance, saying forgiveness of sins through the Church remains part of the teachings instituted by Jesus Christ.

As he concluded the homily, he called upon Christians to remain faithful to the teachings of Christ and continually seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The Pentecost celebrations at St. Joseph’s Cathedral attracted large numbers of believers who gathered to mark the feast with prayer, worship, and reflection on the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church.