Diocese of Kasese launches Online church in honor of Saint Carlo Acutis
Carlo Acutis online church
Photos: Courtesy
Kasese, Uganda: The Diocese of Kasese on 26 December 2025 officially launched the St. Carlo Acutis Online Catholic Church at Our Lady of the Assumption Kasese Cathedral church, in a move aimed at expanding evangelization through digital media. The launch was presided over by Bishop Francis Aquirinus Kibira Kambale, Ordinary of the Diocese of Kasese, during a Holy Mass attended by clergy, diocesan leaders, and members of the faithful.
In his homily, Bishop Kibira emphasized love as the foundation of Christian life, urging believers to love God, love others, and first respect themselves. He noted that genuine love and respect for others are impossible without self-respect rooted in God. The bishop further called upon parents to love their children and keep them close to God, stressing that this responsibility can only be fulfilled when parents themselves love God and cherish their families.
The bishop highlighted the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding Christians to do God’s will, encouraging the faithful to seek His presence daily. He invited believers to “love heaven” and find their path to holiness through forgiveness, love, and the example of saints, particularly St. Carlo Acutis. Bishop Kibira reminded Christians that Jesus desires to live in them, urging frequent reception of Christ in the Eucharist.
Explaining the purpose of the online ministry, diocesan leaders said the initiative seeks to promote prayer, evangelization, and love of Christ through digital platforms. The online church will particularly serve Catholics in the Middle East, Arab countries, and other distant regions where physical access to church services is limited, enabling them to participate in Masses and diocesan programs virtually.
The launch ceremony began with Bishop Kibira chanting the Uganda Martyrs Day theme for 3 June 2026, which the Diocese of Kasese will lead: “Christ is alive in you and me.” The congregation joined him in song. In a brief address, the bishop outlined the life and witness of St. Carlo Acutis, describing him as a model for digital evangelization. He noted that Carlo documented Eucharistic miracles worldwide and Marian apparition sites, including Kibeho in Rwanda, dedicating his life to promoting devotion to the Eucharist.
The bishop urged Catholics to embrace St. Carlo Acutis as the patron saint of Catholics online, encouraging unity with God through digital devices under his intercession. He later introduced the elected leadership of the St. Carlo Acutis Online Catholic Church, naming Fr. Obaldo Sumba Muhindo (based in Ireland) as Chaplain, Augustine Mumbere as Head of Laity, Serina Kyakimwa (based in Saudi Arabia) as Vice Head, Mugisa Godfrey Kataliku as Secretary, Erius Bwambale as Vice Secretary, and Fr. Syathetha Joseph Kule as Treasurer.
He lastly invited all the faithful to physically engage in diocesan programs, support him especially in the ongoing diocesan projects like the new cathedral construction and the forthcoming National animation of the Uganda Martyrs Day at the National Martyrs Shrine Namugongo which the diocese of Kasese will lead.