Arua Catholic Diocese ordained 9 Priests and 7 Deacons, increasing the number of church leaders in the diocese, which has the largest number of Catholics in the country, with over 2.6 million people.
The ceremony of Holy Orders on Saturday at Ediofe Cathedral Parish in Arua City attracted hundreds of Christians from over ten dioceses in Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan, and DR Congo, as well as from several religious groups like Diocesan, Comboni, and Missionaries of the Divine Master-MIDM.
Among those ordained to the priesthood were: Aldo Tabutre from Micu Parish in Arua Diocese, Derick Kundu from St. John the Baptist Magale in Kenya, Johnson Mutu from Otumbari in Terego district, Godwin Byensi from Bulisa district, Richard Ayikobua from Adumi parish in Arua City, Robert Bwambale from Ibanda district, Moses Yuma from Ocodri in Terego district, Michael Aledra from Maracha district, and Innocent Anywar from Boroboro in Lira district.
Meanwhile, seven seminarians who were ordained to the diaconate included: Robert Ajiga from Mingoro in Arua City, Paul Ocen from Ngetta in Lira City, Brother Nicholas Atukunda from Mbarara Diocese, Brother Emmanuel Alobo from Lira City, Emmanuel Lagu from Pakele in Adjumani district, Hillary Etumide from Ombaci Parish in Arua City and Brother Brian Edgar from Sirimba Parish in Kenya. Speaking during the homily, Rt. Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoki, the ordinary Bishop of the Diocese of Arua, encouraged the newly ordained to focus on Youth Apostolate and warned them against aiming at earthly riches.
Bishop Odoki also appealed to the newly ordained not to always carry their pastoral instruments like the Bible, Crucifix, Rosary, Holy Oils, among others, saying it will help them administer Sacraments and Offer holy Mass at any time of need.
Addressing the congregation on behalf of the newly ordained, Rev Father Johnson Mutu urged the Christians and people of goodwill to continue supporting them in their ministry of proclaiming the word of God without hesitation and deviation.
Meanwhile, Phiona Onzima, the area MP for Ayivu West, Arua City, on behalf of government representatives, called on the Christians to offer unreserved support for the welfare of the priests, who largely depend on the Christians.
Arua Diocese, created in 1958, according to the latest statistics, has eight Vicariates, 16 Deaneries, 69 parishes, and more than 750 chapels, with a population of 2,620,277, of which 1.5 million are refugees. URN