Karl Lwanga

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Karl Lwanga (in the middle) and his companions, depiction by Albert Wider

Karl Lwanga (* 1865 in Bulimu , Uganda ; † June 3, 1886 in Namugongo ) was a Ugandan martyr . Karl Lwanga and his companions are venerated as saints in the Catholic and Anglican Churches . The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America regards them as memorable witnesses of faith.

After Christian missionaries began their work in Uganda under King ( Kabaka ) Mutesa I of Buganda , they were again subjected to repression under King Mwanga II . Meanwhile, was a part of the population become Christians or prepared as catechumens to baptism before. There were many Christians, especially among the pages at the king's court. Karl Lwanga was the leader of the royal pages and was baptized in June 1885. After the murder of a catechist , page Denis Ssebuggwawo, King Mwanga declared that all members of the court who did not cease to pray should be killed and on May 27, 1886, a court session was scheduled. He declared: “Those of you who do not pray should stay by my side; the others should stand opposite the reed wall ”. Karl Lwanga and 15 other pages walked over to the wall. Shortly afterwards the king had two of them dismembered and sacrificed to idols, while the others were brought to Namugongo, where they were tied in bundles of straw and burned at the stake.

In total, well over 100 Christians were killed in the persecution under Kabaka Mwanga II. 32 Catholics and Anglicans died at the stake in Namugongo , many of whom were previously tortured.

Pope Benedict XV said Karl Lwanga and his companions beatified in 1920 . Pope Paul VI on October 18, 1964, during the Second Vatican Council , canonized 22 martyrs of this persecution , including Karl Lwanga and his companions.

Karl Lwanga was founded by Pope Pius XI. 1934 declared patron of the youth of Africa. In the liturgy of the Catholic and Anglican Churches as well as the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America , the day of remembrance for Karl Lwanga and his companions is June 3rd .

See also

literature

  • John F. Faupel: African Holocaust. The Story of the Uganda Martyrs . Paulines, Nairobi 2007, ISBN 978-9966-21-629-8
personal data
SURNAME Lwanga, Karl
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Ugandan martyr
DATE OF BIRTH 1865
PLACE OF BIRTH Bulimu , Uganda
DATE OF DEATH June 3, 1886
Place of death Namugongo