Arua Diocese

Hundreds Flock to Holy Cross Pilgrimage for 2024 Celebration.

Indriani, September 14, 2024 - Hundreds of pilgrims from across the region and beyond gathered at the Holy Cross Pilgrimage Center in Indriani on September 14 to offer prayers and seek blessings. This annual event, celebrated every year on this date, commemorates the center as a cornerstone of faith in the Madi Sub-Region of Arua Diocese.

The 2024 provincial pilgrimage was honored by the presence of four bishops: Archbishop Raphael p'Mony Wokorach of Gulu Archdiocese, Rt. Rev. Sabino Ocan Ocan Odoki of Arua Diocese, Rt. Rev. Santus Lino Wanok, Bishop of Lira Diocese and Archbishop Emeritus, Most Rev. John Baptist Odama. The celebration was presided over by Rt. Rev. Santus Lino Wanok, who emphasized the importance of the cross as a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity.
In his homily, Rt. Rev. Santus Lino Wanok encouraged Christians to embrace the cross as a standard for navigating challenges in todays society. The event also saw the attendance of central government officials, district leaders, and cultural figures from the greater northern region.

Bishop Wanok urged Christians to stand firm in their faith despite societal pressures and moral degradation. He highlighted issues such as the misleading promotion of contraceptives as family planning, the destructive impact of drug abuse and alcohol, corruption and manipulation in the political process condeming the practice of vote-buying and its detrimental effect on democracy.

Addressing the issue of tribal divisions in Uganda, Bishop Wanok called for unity among the 64 tribes, stressing that division based on tribal differences hinders national progress. He urged the faithful to use the cross as a symbol of unity and to continue advocating for harmony across all provinces.

Bishop Wanok praised the youth for their dedication to the pilgrimage and their commitment to the cross as a symbol of salvation. He underscored that true faith in the cross is not merely a matter of symbolism but involves living out its principles in everyday life. The cross, he noted, should be a beacon of hope and a call to repentance and reform.

He urged Christians to uphold the cross as a standard in their lives and to combat societal issues with love and the mercy of God. He also encouraged the congregation to seek change and make a positive impact in their communities through their faith.

"Life eternal comes through the door of the Cross," he affirmed.

Indriani, located in Pakele Sub County, Adjumani District, holds historical significance as the site where the Comboni Missionaries, formerly known as the Verona Fathers, first arrived in 1912 to spread the Catholic faith in the Madi Sub-Region.