A Spiritual Revolutionary; Remembering the Life of Bishop Patrick Kyaligonza

“To live life to the fullest, you must stand guard at the gate of your garden and let only the very best information enter. You truly cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought-not even one. The most joyful, dynamic and contented people of this world are no different from you or me in terms of their makeup. We are all flesh and bones. We all come from the same universal source. However the ones who do more than just exist, the ones who fan the flames of their human potential and truly savour the magical dance of life do different things than those whose lives are ordinary. Foremost amongst the things that they do is adopt a positive paradigm about their world and all that is in it.”

February 11, 2010. The day was supposed to be like any other, the sun rising from its favourite direction, people going about their normal business but sadly it never was. Like an old Tibetan proverb puts it, ‘The next life or tomorrow- we can never be certain which comes first.’ Bishop Patrick Kyaligonza Ateenyi only consecrated less than a year was out going by his usual duties but only this time it was his last. Minutes after he had set out for what was supposed to be confirmation of candidates in the Anglican faith, he was involved in a fatal accident that claimed his life.

Ateenyi (as he was fondly referred to) was among the select few who inspired respect and affection, very passionate in the pursuit of causes he believed in. We have created a society in which we find it harder and harder to show one another basic affection but no one could accuse him of this. The most outstanding thing about his personality was his simplicity, he mingled with anyone irrespective of denomination. It didn’t matter if you were Catholic or Muslim or even pagan, he always oozed the calm reassurance that humanity is more important than anything else. He was a clergyman before he was Bishop; however he was human before he was clergyman. So while as Bishop he had a special responsibility to the clergy, as a clergyman he had a special responsibility to his flock but as a human being he had a much larger responsibility toward the large human family, Catholic or Protestant, Muslim or Pagan. There was something special about him; he was someone that glued people together, he refused to give up on anyone irrespective of what those around you thought about you. He was a man whose company you sought simply because it enriched your life. To many of us who were glad to share moments with him, the truth is that it never crossed Bishop Patrick’s mind that if he asked, you wouldn’t give because he spent his whole life giving.

While at his funeral, outside the Cathedral where he had had his last assignment, where he had served for many years even before he became bishop, there was sadness engraved on the faces of each one, everyone had their personal moment to tell about him. The funeral attracted religious and cultural leaders, politicians, the powerful and mighty, but this funeral seemed to be of a difference, for it was filled with many ordinary members of the public, who had simply come to say thank you. He definitely was no saint, but we were sure that Saints would be standing at the Gate of Heaven waiting to greet him.

Today he would be celebrating a decade as Bishop of Rwenzori Diocese and three decades in ministry but the Lord had a different plan for him. His life was lived to the fullest because he could not afford the luxury of a negative thought, his was a positive paradigm on any day and all this radiated to those around him.

 Like Robin Sharma says, when all is said and done, no matter what you have achieved, no matter how many summer homes you own, no matter how many cars sit in your driveway, the quality of your life will come down to the quality of your contribution.

Bishop Patrick Kyaligonza will be remembered for many things but the most endearing is that he was a spiritual revolutionary and to many of us he was a spiritual father; we shall forever miss him as he continues to rest in peace!

Blessed week ahead!