What African Polygamous Men Can Learn from Ugandan Martyr Matthias Mulumba

Kampala, 09 June, 2024 / 9:00 PM

The Archbishop-elect of the  Catholic Archdiocese of Gulu in Uganda has urged Christian men still practicing polygamy to emulate St. Matthias Mulumba,  one of the Uganda Martyrs who denounced his polygamous life and embraced monogamy after he converted to Christianity.

In his homily at the celebration of this year’s Martyrs’ Day Pilgrimage, Bishop  Raphael p’Mony Wokorach reflected on the dilemma that St. Matthias Mulumba had after realizing that Christianity only advocated for monogamy.

 “Matthias Mulumba was a man who had multiple wives. People often mentioned he had three or four wives, and it was evident that many women were attracted to him due to his good looks,” the Ugandan Bishop said.

Credit: ACI Africa

He added, “Eventually, he married four women. However, upon encountering Christianity and embracing the Catholic faith, he faced a dilemma. The teachings of the Church, according to the law of God, advocated for monogamy. One man and one woman.”

As a new convert to Christianity, the 18th-century Ugandan saint was compelled “to let himself be guided by the dictates of his faith”, the Bishop said.

Credit: ACI Africa

Likening the saint’s dilemma at that time to what happens in politics when a political party has several candidates for the same position, he said, “When people of the same party are contesting for the same position, they do primary elections.”

“Matthias Mulumba had to do primary elections with his wives and at the end he remained with one,” the member of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus (MCCJ) who was transferred from Nebbi Diocese to Gulu on March 22 said.

Credit: ACI Africa

He added, “I invite all our Christians, all our well-wishers who find themselves in the same situation, like Matthias Mulumba, to begin doing their primary elections so that by the end of the year, by the year of the Jubilee, 2025, we may have Church weddings in plenty.”

The Archbishop-elect explained the need for Christians to solemnize their marriages in Church and embrace the Holy Eucharist.

Credit: ACI Africa

“We know that a wedding is a way to strengthen the identity and value of the family by placing God at the center of our lives,” he said, and implored, “May St. Mulumba help all our families so that the dignity of families may remain according to the mind of God.”

“Let us all strive and pray that this becomes a reality, day by day, especially for families struggling to achieve unity and communion with one another, reflecting the Holy Family of Nazareth,” he said.

Credit: ACI Africa

The Uganda Martyrs’ Day dates back to the first decade of Christian presence in the East African nation when 45 men aged between 14 to 50 years were killed by the King of Buganda between 1885 and 1887 because of their Christian faith.

St. Matthias Mulumba was one of the 22 Catholic Men who died for their faith during the persecution.

The 22 Catholics who were beatified in 1920 and canonized in 1964 continue to promote Catholic life in the country and also play an important role in constructing a Catholic identity globally.

Namugongo shrine is a large property covering the site where St. Charles Lwanga and his companions, who included pages at the royal court, were burned alive by the order of Kabaka (King) Mwanga.