Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kampala (Fides Service)- “May the state kill? - a Challenge to the Death Penalty”, is the title of a book containing touching testimonies of Christian hope in the compassionate love of God. One of the testimonies is the last letter of a prison inmate Kalisti Sebugwawo, hanged in Uganda in February 1993. The book in English, published by Paulines Publications Africa, is by Comboni missionary Father Tarcisio Agostoni an Italian priest with years of experience in prison pastoral in Uganda. Fides recently interviewed Father Agostoni (see Fides 6 May 2004).
“I have got a concrete trust that the Lord whom I have been serving will not leave me to perish in hell. But he will truly receive me to his eternal Kingdom (Matthew 10:32-42)” Kalisti Sebugwawo writes. “I am going heaven to live with my Lord Jesus eternally. I hope those who will be faithful will meet me there. I shall be ready to welcome you brothers and sisters. So don’t lose hope, don’t let the Devil deceive you that we have been separated.”.
“Don’t worry either or curse anybody about my death. But give thanks to God because he has called us home to live with him in happiness. Praise God that I am going to meet Jesus” the condemned man writes as if to console family and friends as the moment of his death approaches.
Kalisti Sebugwawo ends his letter with these words: “I have much to write but time is against me. I am about to leave this worldly life with the hope that we shall meet in heaven. I am sure you all love me because by now I have received of 70 messages and other things ”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 8/7/2004, righe 23 parole 267)
