Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala, archbishop of Kampala, Uganda, was on campus Monday afternoon to address the significant blessings and challenges facing the Catholic Church in Uganda.

Wamala's talk, "Challenges and Hopes for the Church in Uganda," was heard by an audience of nearly 40 people at the Alumni Memorial Union's Chapel of the Holy Family. Wamala is in Milwaukee visiting with two Ugandan priests who are completing religious studies at Marquette.

"We need your support. We need your prayers. We need the solidarity," Wamala said of the church's future in Uganda.

Wamala began his speech with a brief history of Catholicism in Uganda, citing the first Ugandan priest, who was ordained in 1913.

Catholicism has increased rapidly in Uganda, according to Wamala, and there are now approximately 10 million Catholics. A Catholic university, Uganda Martyrs University, has also been established.

In addition to the growth of church membership, vocations are also on the rise. Wamala said the church has "many young men and women coming forward to join religious life." He noted that this trend is counter to the decrease of vocations in other areas of the world.

Despite many blessings, Wamala also spoke of considerable obstacles faced by the Ugandan church. Major barriers include financial struggles, the spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases, a more global culture, little representation of Catholics in politics and the retention of young Catholics.

In reference to retention, Wamala said many young Ugandan Catholics are "not deeply catechized," which creates challenges as some Catholics join other Christian churches in the area.

Despite such challenges, Cardinal Wamala ended his presentation optimistically with a comparison of the Ugandan church to springtime. He thanked Marquette for the scholarships which have aided in bringing Ugandan priests to study here. He also said, to a chuckle from the audience, that he is thankful, but that the Ugandan priests need even more help.

Kristen Beat, a freshman in the College of Communication, said she enjoyed Cardinal Wamala's speech.

"I thought it was really cool that they're starting a Catholic institution," she said.

Beat also said it would be a great opportunity for Marquette to start an exchange in Uganda, such as the service-learning program in South Africa.

Ashley Novak, also a freshman in the College of Communication, felt the hope of Wamala's message.

"It makes me very optimistic, how he compared the state of the Catholic Church to springtime," she said. Novak also was glad to hear of that Marquette is offering training and scholarships to Ugandans.

Augustine Kalemeera is one of two Ugandan priests studying at Marquette. According to Kalemeera, Wamala, "has a heart for the poor."