info@dioceseofarua.org
+256 781 - 480 - 953
info@dioceseofarua.org
+256 781 - 480 - 953
Rt. Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoki, the Bishop of Arua Diocese called upon the newly ordained priest and deacons to consult their seniors and partners in doing the work of God. In this way, they will promote synodality in the Church. He made this appeal on Saturday, September 5, 2021, at Holy Cross Parish Ombaci, during the ordination of Deacon Ronald Alionzi to priesthood and Scholastics Gabriel Angella and Inacio Manuel Mutatapuele to diaconate. All the three belong to the Congregation of the Comboni Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (MCCJ). Fr. Ronald Alionzi is from Ombaci Parish; Deacon Gabriel hails from Moroto Diocese while Deacon Inacio is from Nampula Archdiocese in Mozambique.
Bishop Sabino reminded the assembly about XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops which the Holy Father, Pope Francis, had convoked. He emphasized that the Holy Father was calling upon the Church to be as synodal as possible, “We are having this ordination at a time when the Holy Father has called for a synod, a synod which is very special, because it is a call to the Church to be synodal, and the word synod means moving together, not leaving anybody behind. It means consulting each other. When we consult, we avoid problems. We can have the same mind, same mission, same reason and same goal. And for the first time this synod is beginning from the grassroot, that is from the local churches. The inauguration of the synod will be in October, 2021,”said Bishop Sabino.
The ordination celebration was also graced by the presence of Bishop of Nebbi Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Raphael p’Mony Wokorach, the Bishop of Madi and West Nile of the Church of Uganda, Rt. Rev. Charles Collins Andaku, the Regional Khadhi of the West Nile Region, Khahdi, Sheikh Al-Hajji Mahad Mahamud Rayhan and his Secretary and the Arua City Mayor. Bishop Sabino thanked Bishop Charles Collins and Sheikh Mahad Mahamud for accepting his invitation to come for the ordination. He noted that as religious leaders in the West Nile region, they need to work together for peace and development in the region.
Bishop Sabino thanked the Comboni missionaries for promoting the work of evangelization and also thanked all who participated in the formation of the candidates. He reminded the ordained of the great responsibilities that awaits them, encouraging them to use only what is at their disposal and to desist from the attitude of having everything to be able to work. "When you have this attitude of having everything before you can work, it will not be possible. You are to do what is possible, God is not asking you to do whatever is beyond your means.If there is no transport, go on foot where you can go. If you get the bicycle, go where the bicycle can take you to preach the word of God and when you have a car, go where it can take you. So we should always be at the disposal of God to do His work", said Bishop.
