Our Vision
The vision of Bethany House grows out of Father Emmanuel Katongole’s life journey and ministry as a priest, professor, and pilgrim. Inspired by the stories associated with the village of Bethany in the New Testament, Father Emmanuel saw the need for a ‘place’ in Africa to serve as a hospitality, retreat, pilgrimage, and study center. Bethany House serves as a way to foster and advance a vision of Christian mission and reconciliation, characterized by the habits and practices to which the biblical stories of Bethany point. Such practices include:
For a full description of the story of Bethany House and its vision see Stories from Bethany, a short book written by Father Emmanuel himself.
We invite you to come and participate in this vision. You can send any questions or inquiries to Any questions to bethanyhouseuganda@gmail.com. You can also find us on AirBnB.
- Hospitality (Lk. 10.38 - Martha welcomes Jesus into her house)
- Story-telling (Lk. 10.38 - Mary sits at Jesus' feet and listens to him)
- Resurrection (Jn. 11.1-45 - "There was a man named Lazarus...")
- Interruption (Mt 26.6-13 - "A woman came in with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table")
- Mission (Lk. 24.48) - "You are witnesses of these things")
- Baptismal identity (Jn. 1.19-29 – They asked him [John]: ‘Who are you?’…”Why then do you baptize?’)
For a full description of the story of Bethany House and its vision see Stories from Bethany, a short book written by Father Emmanuel himself.
We invite you to come and participate in this vision. You can send any questions or inquiries to Any questions to bethanyhouseuganda@gmail.com. You can also find us on AirBnB.