The retired Church of Uganda Archbishop, Stanley Ntagali, risks being excommunicated following his suspension from priestly duties after it was found out that he was sleeping with a married woman.
In a January 13th letter, Church of Uganda Archbishop Rt Rev. Stephen Kazimba barred Ntagali from functioning sacramentally, preaching, or representing the Church of Uganda in any way until further notice, over involvement in extra marital affair.
The woman, later identified as Judith Tukamuhebwa, is reportedly married to Rev Christopher Tugumehabwe Kazimba, also a reverend in Church of Uganda. Kazimba said Ntagali betrayed the office of Archbishop, ordination vows, and the moral commitments he championed.
Today (Thursday) the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda (COU) convened to decide the fate of the suspended former Church of Uganda Archbishop Stanley Ntagali.
Comprising 37 dioceses, the House of Bishops is expected to deliberate, among other issues, the manner in which the former Archbishop was suspended, Ntagali’s fate and how best the Anglican Church in Uganda can handle the matter with limited damage to it’s image. While the details concerning the meeting including the venue has been kept a secret, the sitting has been confirmed.
The spokesperson for Kampala Diocese Mr Ivan Naijuka said the House of Bishops has exclusive powers to determine the fate of the retired Archbishop, Stanley Ntagali. While he refused to preempt the outcome of the meeting, Ivan said the Church law is clear about adultery with strict penalties for the sin.
He said, the canons say anyone in priestly service prescribe outright excommunication from sacramental roles once evidence is provided that the sin was committed. excommunication means putting a specific individual out of communion. In some denominations, excommunication includes spiritual condemnation of the member or group. It may also involve banishment, shunning, and shaming of the culprit. Mr Ivan however stated that the law provides for pardon if it the culprit repents.
“The canons are clear about adultery; You can be stopped from conducting priestly duties until you repent and the Bishops lift the suspension” Without directly referring to Ntagali’s case, Ivan however said excommunication comes in when one is found guilty of committing adultery.
He also noted that the House of Bishops has powers to recall to service an excommunicated person after has received clearance from a tribunal of church elders following confession and repentance of the sin(s) committed.
In the letter, Dr Kazimba highlighted that Ntagali acknowledged committing adultery, a sin punishable by excommunication according to the canons of the Church. More so, Ntagali recently distanced himself from a document on social media alleging that he publicly apologized for sleeping with a married woman. The disputed social media post claimed that Ntagali apologized to the church, his family and the world claiming he is also a human being who can fall to temptations of the devil.
However, reports have also emerged that the manner in which Ntagali was suspended is in contravention of provisions of the Church constitution. A source within the Church of Uganda revealed that the suspension could be nullified after deliberations by the House of Bishops on grounds that it was not done in accordance with the Church constitution. Ntagali has since refused to speak to the press.
Ntagali retired as Church of Uganda Archbishop in February 2020 with up to 3 years left on his term to expire.
