UGANDA: New Bishop for Moroto Diocese Installed

Rt. Rev. Bishop Damiano Giulio Guzzetti

Hundreds of
faithful from the Diocese of Moroto and beyond gathered to pray and witness the
consecration and installation of Rt. Rev. Bishop Damiano Giulio Guzzetti as the
new Bishop of the Diocese on 24th May 2014.

 

Bishop Guzzetti
is taking over from Bishop Henry Ssentongo Aparolianam, who served the diocese
for 22 years. 

 

In his
message to the people of Moroto Diocese and to the new bishop, the outgoing
Bishop Henry Ssentongo said “…Rise up, my dear people of Moroto Diocese, our
new Shepherd is here. With deep gratitude to God and jubilation we receive our
new Bishop Guzzetti. Welcome back to us. We do not need to say feel at home,
you are already at home. 

 

The Bishop
Emeritus thanked the Christians from Moroto and asked for forgiveness for any
wrong doings. “My deepest gratitude to all of you dear people of Moroto Diocese
and Karamoja for the love, understanding, support and cooperation, which I have
always received from you. Thank you so much. I am very sorry and apologize for
the many things I failed to do and where I hurt you; Please pardon and forgive
me! I extend a hand of friendship to everyone; I call you friends,” he
said.

 

Speaking at
the ceremony Bishop Guzzetti said that God’s surprises are really
unpredictable. “It is with a trembling heart that I take up this new commitment
as the Bishop of Moroto Diocese, returning to a place where I consider my
Diocese and my people, where I spend my best years as a Missionary priest,”
he said to the congregation as he accepted the mantle to become the forth
shepherd of the diocese adding that, “I greatly rely on your prayers,
support and cooperation as I take up the service of shepherding the people of
God in Moroto Diocese.”

 

Rt. Rev Guzzetti
was born on July 15, 1959 in Turate, Italy and ordained priest on September
1989. He becomes the fourth Bishop of Moroto Diocese which was created on March
22, 1965 with the late Bishop Sisto Mazzoldi as its first prelate. Bishop
Mazzoldi was succeeded by Bishop Paul Kalanda who was later in 1992 transferred
to Fort Portal Diocese and Bishop Ssentongo took over.

 

Among the
people who attended the ceremony included: a delegation of 10 people comprising
of Priests, Sister and Laity, from the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar Kenya, a
neighboring diocese and an Anglican Church Bishop from Moroto.