By Emmanuel Nigel
Piemonte House
Date: Saturday, March 23rd, 2024
What a moment! What a beauteous moment! After 25 years of serving as the Archbishop of Gulu, His Grace Dr. John Baptist Odama retired now as Archbishop Emeritus yesterday Friday, March 22nd, 2024 according to Pope Francis' letter that was read to the Christians at St. Joseph's Cathedral, Gulu. "January 2nd, 1999 was an amazing day that we received the Archbishop and one who worked for all the people and put in his heart much love for Humanity. Dr. John Baptist Odama remains in our hearts and minds forever." His Grace Dr Odama John Baptist was so substantial towards the stability of peace in Acoli and Northern Uganda at large when we had lost hope entirely as the Government of Uganda and the Lord's Resistance Army [LRA] rebels. He left the comfort of the Archbishop's Residence and spent four nights in Gulu bus park together with children from the rebels we had a situation where tragedy left us without total peace in Acoli and Northern Uganda, His Grace Dr. John Baptist Odama never remained silent and he advocated for peace day and night. He is a peaceful Prelate of our time. He won't be forgotten not even for a second.
I am blissful that we have had His Grace Dr. John Baptist Odama in the Archdiocese of Gulu the man who loves peace and unity the man who with a compassionate heart. He deserves my reverence and he will always deserve it. May the Lord God bless His Grace Dr. John Baptist Odama for all his tremendous stewardship and may he get God's blessings for remaining the Prelate of the Church and for all the human race. Lord God bless His Grace Dr. John Baptist Odama.
But it's a new epoch for the Archdiocese of Gulu and the new Archbishop where Bishop Raphael P'mony Wokorach takes the big rank of the Archbishop! On March 21st, 2021 Pope Francis appointed Bishop Raphael P'mony Wokorach as the Bishop of Nebbi Catholic Diocese. On August 14th, 2021 he received the Episcopal consecration in Nebbi Catholic Diocese. On Friday, March 22nd, 2024 Pope Francis appointed him Metropolitan Archbishop of Gulu. Bishop Raphael P'mony Wokorach speaks English, French, Italian, Alur, Acoli, and Kiswahili. Ideally, he will not struggle to interact with the people.
Notably, Bishop Raphael Wokorach has gained promotion within a short time he has been elevated to the rank of Archbishop and the Christians will expect a lot from him. "Bishop Raphael P'mony Wokorach Needs to Have a Preeminent Heart of Jesus Like His Predecessor" Now he's coming as the Archbishop of Gulu to succeed His Grace Dr. John Baptist Odama who has served for 25 years. He should unite the Christians and he should be ready to work as Archbishop of Gulu in seeing that the Christians have profound faith and love. "I wouldn't be glad to hear people saying we don't understand this Comboni Missionary Archbishop we don't understand Archbishop Raphael P'mony Wokorach which Pope Francis has given to us peradventure this is the worst appointment and a situation where one would even call him without putting the title Archbishop once the people start saying something like this they will have fallen out with the Archbishop" so, he must have a preeminent heart of Jesus he must assemble all the people to himself embracing everyone and must be ready to listen to the Christians and the Christians should likewise listen to the Archbishop the collaboration should be extreme. "Evangelization needs unity and love and all these must be drawn from the preeminent heart of the Lord who calls each one of us to evangelical and to disseminate His Holy Gospel."
I wish Bishop Raphael P'mony Wokorach as Archbishop Elect of the Archdiocese of Gulu a successful service for God's people, and good health of mind, body, and soul.
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