The history of Holy Cross in East Africa has always relied on trust in God’s guidance to provide a future full of hope for the Congregation’s Mission there. This is a brief story of one such moment: The 1976 District Chapter in Uganda. This story was originally published in the second edition of Footprints, the magazine of the General Administration of the Congregation of Holy Cross.
I know well the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a future full of Hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
The 1970s were years of considerable insecurity and questioning for the Holy Cross priests and brothers in Uganda. Many factors contributed to the exciting but uneasy nature of this period: the erratic and often violent rule of Idi Amin along with the welcomed move toward indigenization of leadership in the African Church. Many held the theory that the missionary’s task was to “work himself out of a job,” thus handing over ministry to the increasing number of diocesan clergy and moving on to other areas of need. All of these realities made Holy Cross’s role in the future of Uganda’s church more uncertain.
In 1973 the majority at the District Chapter of the priests even voted to end Holy Cross’ corporate commitment to the Diocese of Fort Portal, though individual religious would be allowed to continue their mission there if they chose to do so.
The Indiana Provincial Chapter, however, did not approve that decision. In the following three years the Spirit inspired a radical reversal, opening the door to a “future filled with hope” for the Holy Cross mission in Uganda and beyond.
The 1976 District Chapter approved three recommendations of immense consequence:
- Holy Cross would begin a vocation and formation program for religious from Uganda, understanding the call to implant the Holy Cross charism and service as an enduring gift to the growing church there;
- Because of the real threat that American Holy Cross would be forced by Amin to leave Uganda, the District would explore ministry possibilities for a commitment in East Africa beyond Uganda’s borders; and
- Because many of the earliest missionaries had departed and the number of young Holy Cross members in the U.S. desiring to make a life-commitment to international mission had slowed to a trickle, the District would invite U.S. seminarians for pastoral experience and also seasoned C.S.C teachers and formators from the U.S. for a 1-3 year commitment to offer valuable support to its Holy Cross community life and mission.
These decisions encouraged the growth and expansion of Holy Cross life and ministry in East Africa that can be found today. Holy Cross now has a mission in Uganda, Kenya (since 1978) and Tanzania (since 2000) involving over 90 finally professed brothers and priests, only four of whom are from the U.S., with more than 40 in temporary vows at different levels of initial formation. The religious serve in administration, formation, 11 parishes, 10 secondary, technical and primary schools, and three health centers, with several engaged at university level teaching, in Holy Cross Family Ministries, with alcohol rehabilitation and justice initiatives and in international mission outside the Province.
The graced decisions of 1976 have indeed given birth to a vibrant community with much hope to bring and, just as important, a community that receives much hope from the faithful people with whom it lives and serves. As the Christians of East Africa so often chant: God is good … all the time!
Provided by the Mission Center, January 2026
