info@dioceseofarua.org
+256 781 - 480 - 953
info@dioceseofarua.org
+256 781 - 480 - 953
It was a joyous day today 12th February 2021, for the Diocese of Arua as a total of 140 children received the sacraments of Confirmation at Ediofe Catholic Cathedral.
The ceremony was presided over by Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki, The Bishop of the Diocese of Arua.The ceremony that constituted of students and pupils from more than five schools within the diocese was also attended by the parents and guardians to these children.
Rama Jacqueline, who is a parent to one of the children told our reporter, “This really comes as a relief to us. I’m happy to see my son confirmed in the faith and also being groomed in the line of faith because as parents, our work schedules make us overlook such serious issues. Without this our children would get spoilt. But at least we now have somewhere to start.” This ceremony is carried out annually, though it was not possible to put one last year until now due to Covid-19 outbreak. But every one was joyous and the happiness that filled the air was tremendous.
The challenge now, however, is whether all the parents of these pupils and students will do a follow-up and ensure that their children grow in faith as they were taught during the months of preparations.The ceremony that constituted of students and pupils from more than five schools within the diocese was also attended by the parents and guardians to these children.
The Bishop shared his utmost gratitude to all whose tireless efforts contributed to the preparation of the children (confirmation recipients). He continued to urge the parents of the recipients to spend more time with their children now that the church has done their part, to teach them more about the life left ahead of them. He assured the recipients that they have been anointed by the spirit of Christ and its time they proclaim the word of God, as Isaiah (61:1-3) reads,...The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed; to bind up the broken-hearted.
The church views confirmation as a sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ. It confers the gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord) upon the recipient, who must be a baptized person at least seven years old.
The Bishop also said, every child of age 7 and above already knows good and bad, right and wrong , which is why the Pope advises that by that age a child should already be able to receive the holy communion. He also encouraged the congregation to endeavour to fully use their talents for the grace of God. "We are so blessed but many times we don't realise, let us always count our blessings for more blessings to follow us. Because counting sorrows will only invite more sorrows. And when you count blessings more blessings follow you. Amen."
