The Bishop of Masaka Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Serverus Jjumba, has cautioned Christians against abandoning the long-held Catholic teaching of praying for the dead, warning that those discouraging the practice are misleading believers.
Bishop Jjumba delivered the message on November 2, 2025, while leading Mass at Kitovu Cathedral to mark All Souls’ Day, a global Catholic commemoration dedicated to praying for the faithful departed still undergoing purification in Purgatory.
He expressed concern over increasing arguments—especially from some emerging Christian groups—that prayers for the dead are unnecessary because the deceased “are already gone.” The bishop described such claims as false and spiritually dangerous.
“Some people claim the dead do not need our prayers. That thinking is very wrong,” he said. “It is the Church’s teaching to pray for the departed so that they may attain heaven. As pilgrims of hope, we must remember them, trust in God’s mercy, and unite the Church Triumphant with those undergoing purification.”
He emphasized that praying for the dead is not simply ritual but an expression of love, unity, and spiritual solidarity.
“On this day, we reflect, remember, and pray in faith and love for our departed brothers and sisters. We must not forget those who have gone before us,” he added.
The bishop encouraged families to honor their departed loved ones not only in prayer but also through action. He urged Christians to clean and maintain family graves and to regularly offer prayers for souls in Purgatory so that “they do not feel forgotten.”
Bishop Jjumba also offered guidance on how the faithful can prepare their own souls to avoid Purgatory, reminding Christians to: Work hard to assist souls in Purgatory through prayer and sacrifices, cultivate humility, attend Holy Mass frequently and offer it for departed souls, faithfully observe God’s commandments.
He concluded by reminding believers that remembering the dead is a sacred duty rooted in the Church’s tradition and supported by the hope of eternal life.
“We celebrate our communion in faith and love with those who have passed on,” he said. “Let us pray for them, and in doing so, we also prepare our souls for eternity.”
All Souls’ Day, observed annually on November 2, is one of the Catholic Church’s most solemn days of remembrance, following All Saints’ Day on November 1 and emphasizing the Christian belief in life after death and the power of prayer.
