ADDRESS OF PAUL VI
TO THE NEW AMBASSADOR
OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
TO THE HOLY SEE*

Monday, 14 June 1971

Mr. Ambassador,

It is with pleasure that We accept the Letters of Credence by which you are appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda to the Holy See; it is with added pleasure that We receive one who welcomed us to Uganda when We went on pilgrimage to the places made holy by your country’s great martyrs.

By their martyrdom, these heroic sons of Uganda sealed their deep faith, their steadfastness in professing the truth and their readiness to suffer in defence of its values. For this We honour both them and their country.

We are happy that in Uganda the role of the Catholic Church in promoting development and peace is appreciated. Although the Church has no temporal interest of her own, she intends to give her moral support and also, as far as possible, her practical assistance to fostering development, so that each people may be able to express its own genius in the fullest possible manner. And since without peace there can be no true prosperity, the Church will continue to make every endeavour also to favour that great cause.

In the firm hope that the bonds of mutual understanding between the Holy See and Uganda will grow ever stronger, for the spiritual and temporal advantage of your country’s people, We ask Your Excellency to convey to the President and to the Government and people of Uganda Our warm gratitude for their kind greetings. As We express Our prayerful good wishes for progress and for harmony and peace, We cordially invoke upon them the blessings of God.

To Your Excellency We wish every success in the important mission you are now beginning, assuring you of Our interest, Our collaboration and Our esteem.

*AAS 63 (1971), p.551-552;

Insegnamenti di Paolo VI, vol. IX, p.524-525;

L’Attività della Santa Sede 1971, p.247;

OR 14-15.6.1971 p.1;

ORa n.25 p.5.