Why were they put to death?
Hatred for the faith, of course... but there was another reason people sometimes neglect to mention, or at times discount:
The ire of the Ugandan king was particularly inflamed against the Christians because they refused to accede to demands to participate in homosexual acts with him. Charles Lwanga, in particular, had protected the pages from King Mwanga's sexual advances.
Canonization Mass during Vatican II (source).
St. Charles Lwanga,
pray for us.
it irks me to no end every year when i read the 'official' (as written in the LOH) reason for their martyrdom. "... because they would not accede to the king's unreasonable demands." why not just come out and say the real reason; put it in print, let it be known.
ReplyDeletethe Canticle of Zechariah for the Common of Several Martyrs brought it home for me this morning: "Blessed are those who suffer persecution for the sake of justice; the kingdom of heaven is theirs."
it was a matter of justice, rendering unto God the honor due Him, by not entering into a sexual same-sex act at the expense of one's own life. it came to me in prayer, too, the words (paraphrasing) "do you not know you have been purchased by the blood of Christ."
Thanks DB - I'm with you.
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