By KT Reporter
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Kasana-Luweero has suspended all overnight prayers traditionally held to usher in the New Year 2026, citing concerns over the safety and well-being of congregants.
The directive was issued just hours before the close of 2025 by the Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator, Rev. Fr. Dr Cyril Kasigwa, and communicated to all parish priests across the diocese.
Traditionally, end-of-year prayers within the diocese begin between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m., culminating at midnight, with some congregations remaining in prayer through the night until morning. However, under the new guidance, all parishes are instructed to celebrate only the scheduled evening Masses, which must conclude before nightfall.
Fr. Kasigwa emphasised that no prayers should continue into the night, and that all worshippers are required to leave church premises immediately after the evening liturgies and return safely to their homes. He encouraged the faithful to instead return the following morning to offer thanksgiving prayers for the gift of a new year.
He further clarified that the suspension applies uniformly across the diocese’s 32 parishes and more than 300 sub-parishes, with no overnight vigils permitted until dawn. While acknowledging that overnight prayers are not inherently wrong, Fr. Kasigwa stressed that the decision was guided by prudence and pastoral responsibility, noting that “prevention is better than cure” when it comes to safeguarding lives.
Looking ahead to the new year, Fr. Kasigwa also revealed that the diocese will organise prayer camps in selected parishes as a structured spiritual alternative. He called upon security agencies to clearly understand these arrangements and refrain from viewing them with suspicion, explaining that the gatherings are strictly religious and pastoral in nature.
According to the Pastoral Coordinator, the prayer camps are scheduled to run from January 5 to January 11, 2026. He urged all camp organisers to maintain close coordination with security agencies to ensure peaceful, orderly, and spiritually fruitful engagements.
The diocese equally reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing faith while upholding responsibility, calling on believers to welcome the New Year with gratitude, discipline, and trust in God’s guidance.
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