Members of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) are calling on Christians to reflect on the vital role of the family, describing it as the “nucleus of society and the Church.”

In their Christmas message, released on December 22, UEC members encourage Christians to focus on fortifying the family unit, drawing inspiration from the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

“We invite you this Christmas to reflect and concentrate on strengthening the family as the heart of society and the Church, by emulating the Holy Family of Nazareth—a model of peace, love, and service,” the bishops said.

“Christmas is an important time for Christians to renew their encounter with God through the mystery of the incarnation,” the Catholic leaders reaffirm in their four-page statement, which was signed by UEC Chairman, Bishop Joseph Anthony Zziwa of Kiyinda Mityana Diocese.

To underscore the significance of the Holy Family for Christ’s followers, Uganda’s Catholic Bishops stress the importance of the incarnation. “Jesus was born into a family, embracing its inherent features, and bestowed the highest dignity on marriage, elevating it to a sacrament of the new covenant,” the bishops noted.

They also referenced Pope Francis’ 2016 Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia (“The Joy of Love”), which emphasizes the sacred nature of family life: “The couple that loves and creates life is a true, living icon, capable of revealing God the Creator and Savior.”

Acknowledging the challenges families face today, the bishops recognized the pressures of modernity, technological advancements, and economic struggles that have placed a strain on family life. Other challenges include rising living costs, limited access to education and healthcare, political divisions, violent conflicts, inadequate parental guidance, child abuse, youth unemployment, widespread poverty, and skewed views on human sexuality.

“Many families are disintegrating under the weight of these challenges, leaving children with fewer opportunities for support and guidance,” the UEC members lament. They advocate for a collective approach to addressing these contemporary issues.

The Catholic leaders call on government officials to enforce laws that protect family values, including Article 31 of Uganda’s Constitution, which guarantees the right to marry in accordance with marriage laws that support societal stability.

In their Christmas message, the UEC also encourages prayer and action to address Uganda’s social, political, and economic difficulties. They conclude by stating that Christmas is “an ideal moment to entrust these issues to God and renew efforts toward building a united and peaceful society.”