Pilgrims of Peace: Prayer Peace Week 2026 Concludes in Lira with Call to Become Messengers of Peace
The final day of the 2026 Prayer Peace Week concluded with a solemn Eucharistic celebration in Lira
Diocese, bringing together thousands of pilgrims, clergy, religious leaders, civil authorities,
and faithful from across Northern Uganda under the theme: "Peace be with you" (John 20:19).
LIRA DIOCESE -
The commemorative celebrations, held annually under the Gulu Ecclesiastical Province, took place
from 3rd May to 8th May 2026. The week-long initiative continues to promote healing, reconciliation,
and lasting peace following the effects of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) conflict in Northern Uganda.
Present at the closing celebrations, were Archbishop Raphael P'Mony Wokorach, Archbishop Emeritus John
Baptist Odama, Bishop Sanctus Lino Wanok, Bishop Sabino Ochan Odoki, Bishop Constantine Rupiny, Bishop
Dominic Eibu, and Bishop Emeritus Joseph Franzelli.
Participants from the dioceses of Gulu, Arua, Nebbi, Lira, and Kotido took part in a peace march through
Lira, symbolising unity, reconciliation, and a shared commitment to peacebuilding within communities and
the nation.
During the concluding Holy Mass, Rt.Rev.Sabino Ocan Odoki who precided over the celebration described the Prayer Peace Week as a "school of peace," where Christians
and pilgrims were enriched through discussions, testimonies, presentations, and reflections centred on reconciliation
and peaceful coexistence.
"Let peace become our mission, and as we conclude the Peace Prayer Week, we are commissioned to become
messengers of peace," the Bishop said.
He explained that the concluding Eucharistic celebration was not only a thanksgiving Mass but also a
commissioning for all participants to go forth as ambassadors of peace in their homes, parishes, dioceses,
workplaces, and the nation at large.
"We have chosen to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit so that He may lead us to become peace messengers
in our homes, parishes, dioceses, and nations," he said.
The Bishop expressed concern over the growing lack of inner peace among citizens and urged Christians to
take personal responsibility in building peaceful societies.
"Peace is everyone's responsibility. If there is no peace, each one of us should ask: what am I doing to
promote peace?" he remarked.
Addressing the faithful, he encouraged them to return to their communities transformed by the spirit
of reconciliation.
"Dear brothers and sisters, if all of us return to our parishes, dioceses, chapels, Small Christian
Communities, families, and workplaces as messengers of peace, our country will be full of peace," he said.
The Bishop identified misinformation and rumour-mongering as major threats to peace in society today, stressing
that truth and honesty are essential foundations for reconciliation.
"In today's society there is a lot of rumour-mongering, which is not a good ingredient for peace. We must allow
truth to guide us," he noted.
Reflecting on Scripture, he reminded the faithful that all people are created in the image of God and filled with
the Spirit of God from creation.
"God breathed into the human person so that he may have life. This Spirit is given to everyone, Christians,
Muslims, and all humanity, and we are called to reflect the nature of God," he explained.
The Bishop further called on Christians to embrace the gifts of the Holy Spirit, wisdom, understanding, counsel,
fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord, saying these virtues are essential in fostering peace within
families, communities, and nations.
He explained that wisdom enables believers to see the world from God's perspective, understanding deepens insight
into the mysteries of faith, while counsel guides right judgment. Fortitude gives courage and strength, knowledge
helps believers understand God's creation, piety nurtures reverence and service to God, and fear of the Lord inspires
awe and respect before God.
"If we live by these gifts, we shall bear the fruits that Jesus speaks about," he said.
The Bishop also reflected on lessons shared throughout the week by different groups and dioceses, highlighting
the importance of love, justice, democracy, human rights, dialogue, and unity in building peaceful societies.
"We learnt that there must be love and respect for one another. We learnt that corruption, tribalism, favouritism,
hatred, and laziness destroy peace. We also learnt that dialogue reflects our true human nature," he said.
He added that true peace requires people to "lay down their arms," explaining that violence can exist not
only through weapons but also through harmful words, division, and injustice.
As the celebrations concluded, gratitude was extended to the Government of Uganda for supporting the Peace
Prayer Week through the Ministry of Health, represented by Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, as well as the Central
Organising Committee and all pilgrims of peace who participated throughout the week.
