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St. Charles Lwanga

When was the last time you thanked God for the freedom to practice Christianity? It’s probably difficult for you to imagine, for instance, a tyrannis king forcing you to follow the religion of witch doctors. But that was the situation that a young man named Charles Langwa found himself in just a century ago!

When Christianity first takes root in a country, it is usually met with distrust and hatred. Martyrdom usually follows. This is what happened in Africa. In the 1880s, Catholic and Protestant missionaries introduced Christianity into the Ugandan kingdom of Buganda. Until that time, the people had followed witch doctors and chiefs.

One of those who discovered and embraced the faith was Charles Lwanga. He encouraged the new Christians, despite the leadership of that time. Witch doctors and chiefs convinced King Mwanga, only 18 years old, that this new religion would undermine his authority. Eventually, he demanded that Christians renounce their faith or face death. Many chose death.

An eyewitness account tells the story:

“Then we set out from the square walking in single file, a rope from neck to neck joining the prisoners. As we went every one of us prayed in his heart, but not aloud. When we arrived in the valley we were ordered to halt where the high executioner, Senkole, and a big crowd waited. Senkole separated Charles Lwanga from the others, saying, ‘This is the man of my choice. He’ll be my victim.’ Lwanga said to us: ‘Friends, I am staying here. Good bye! We shall meet again in heaven.’”

Charles was laid on a pyre under which the fire was kept low. The flame slowly charred his legs. Praying quietly, Charles cried out, “My God,” and eventually died. That day, thirteen Catholics, eleven Protestants, and eight unbaptized others who wanted to become Christians, were burned alive. Neither Charles nor his companions ever complained against the harsh treatment.

The blood of the martyrs is the seed of Christians. One of the martyrs said prophetically: “A well that has many sources never runs dry. When we are gone, others will come after us.” He was right. Within a few years, the number of Christians in Buganda had grown to ten thousand.

The feast day for Charles Lwanga and his companions is June 3.

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