UGANDA: Archbishop Odongo Celebrates 50th Anniversay of Episcopate
Archbishop Emeritus James Odongo marked his Golden Jubilee Anniversary of his Episcopal Ordination by the celebration Holy Mass on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at the Uganda
Martyrs Cathedral Nyangole in Tororo.
Martyrs Cathedral Nyangole in Tororo.
Archbishop
Odongo, who was ordained an Auxiliary bishop on February 16, 1965, becomes the
first Ugandan to attain 50 years of service as a Bishop. His celebration began
in style as he entered the Cathedral with a procession of Archbishops, Bishops
and Priests with whom he had served during his 50 years.
Odongo, who was ordained an Auxiliary bishop on February 16, 1965, becomes the
first Ugandan to attain 50 years of service as a Bishop. His celebration began
in style as he entered the Cathedral with a procession of Archbishops, Bishops
and Priests with whom he had served during his 50 years.
In a
statement written by the Holy Father in Latin language, Pope Francis praised
the work of the Archbishop in the past years. “Archbishop Odongo dedicated his
priesthood to inspiring families to be holy for the past 50 years. I therefore
congratulate him for his fruitful ministry and spiritual good of the people,”
read the Pope’s message.
statement written by the Holy Father in Latin language, Pope Francis praised
the work of the Archbishop in the past years. “Archbishop Odongo dedicated his
priesthood to inspiring families to be holy for the past 50 years. I therefore
congratulate him for his fruitful ministry and spiritual good of the people,”
read the Pope’s message.
The concelebrants to the Holy Mass included the
Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Most Rev. Michael August Blume, His Eminence
Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, the Archbishop of Gulu and Chairman of the Uganda
Episcopal Conference (UEC) Most Rev. John Baptist Odama, Archbishop Emeritus of
Tororo Most Rev. Dennis Kiwanuka and the present Archbishop of Tororo His Grace Emmanuel
Obbo.
Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Most Rev. Michael August Blume, His Eminence
Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, the Archbishop of Gulu and Chairman of the Uganda
Episcopal Conference (UEC) Most Rev. John Baptist Odama, Archbishop Emeritus of
Tororo Most Rev. Dennis Kiwanuka and the present Archbishop of Tororo His Grace Emmanuel
Obbo.
AMECEA secretariat was represented by Rev Fr Ferdinand Lugonzo who was accompanied by Rev Fr Joseph Healey, the first Social Communication Secretary at AMECEA. Also present to the event was the Vice President Edward Ssekandi who represented President Museveni as the Chief Guest.
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| From Left: H.E. Archbishop Michael Blume, Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Most Rev. James Odongo and Most Rev Emmanuel Obbo of Toroto |
There were
also over 10 bishops and 130 priests from across the region.
also over 10 bishops and 130 priests from across the region.
In his
homily, Msgr. Kauta, described the Archbishop as a wise and holy man of
courage, generosity and humility, Msgr. Kauta added, “I have learned many
things from Archbishop Odongo. He is a social person and a man of firm
determination, who never gets tired of serving the Eucharist and prayer. His
own personal agenda never got in the way because he didn’t have one. I pray
that God gives him sanity and lucidity of mind to continue sharing His word
with us.”
homily, Msgr. Kauta, described the Archbishop as a wise and holy man of
courage, generosity and humility, Msgr. Kauta added, “I have learned many
things from Archbishop Odongo. He is a social person and a man of firm
determination, who never gets tired of serving the Eucharist and prayer. His
own personal agenda never got in the way because he didn’t have one. I pray
that God gives him sanity and lucidity of mind to continue sharing His word
with us.”
The
Apostolic Nuncio said that Archbishop Odongo is one of the few living Fathers
of the Second Vatican Council to put his signature of approval on such
important documents. These include the decree, the Pastoral Constitution on the
Church in the modern missionary activity, on Religious Freedom, the Laity and
five others.
Apostolic Nuncio said that Archbishop Odongo is one of the few living Fathers
of the Second Vatican Council to put his signature of approval on such
important documents. These include the decree, the Pastoral Constitution on the
Church in the modern missionary activity, on Religious Freedom, the Laity and
five others.
In his
message Cardinal Wamala said that during his term as the UEC and AMECEA
chairman, the Archbishop has always been looked to for guidance, which he
always gives with clarity, firmness and humour.
message Cardinal Wamala said that during his term as the UEC and AMECEA
chairman, the Archbishop has always been looked to for guidance, which he
always gives with clarity, firmness and humour.
Archbishop
Odama urged the gathering not only to look at him as the Archbishop but also to
see him as a library, granary of knowledge and the first citizen in the
Catholic diocese of Tororo. “Everyone should take advantage of his presence
because he is still brilliant in mind and he can give good guidance,” he added.
Odama urged the gathering not only to look at him as the Archbishop but also to
see him as a library, granary of knowledge and the first citizen in the
Catholic diocese of Tororo. “Everyone should take advantage of his presence
because he is still brilliant in mind and he can give good guidance,” he added.
Archbishop
Odongo closed the ceremony with a speech, which he advised priests not
to fall into the temptation of individualism and subjectivism. “I have managed
to walk all these fifty-eight years of priesthood and while fifty years serving as a
bishop, repeating the same celebration every day because each day I kept and
keep reminding myself of all these words: ‘Oh Priest of Jesus Christ, celebrate
this Mass as if it were your first Mass, your last Mass, your only Mass.’ This
is what I have done from the day of my priestly ordination on December 22,
1956. During my spiritual journey of faith I also used four anchors for support
including the Holy Mass, the word of God, prayer and the rosary,” said Archbishop
Odongo.
Odongo closed the ceremony with a speech, which he advised priests not
to fall into the temptation of individualism and subjectivism. “I have managed
to walk all these fifty-eight years of priesthood and while fifty years serving as a
bishop, repeating the same celebration every day because each day I kept and
keep reminding myself of all these words: ‘Oh Priest of Jesus Christ, celebrate
this Mass as if it were your first Mass, your last Mass, your only Mass.’ This
is what I have done from the day of my priestly ordination on December 22,
1956. During my spiritual journey of faith I also used four anchors for support
including the Holy Mass, the word of God, prayer and the rosary,” said Archbishop
Odongo.
The celebration concluded with a public reception for all at the cathedral’s
grounds and distribution of a prayer card as a memento of the special golden
jubilee. Many of the faithful also met the Archbishop after the celebration of Mass to
personally congratulate him.
grounds and distribution of a prayer card as a memento of the special golden
jubilee. Many of the faithful also met the Archbishop after the celebration of Mass to
personally congratulate him.
Archbishop Odongo and his twin brother the late Alfred Opio, were born in Molo, a town near Tororo, on March 27, 1931. Their father, Gabriel Omunyin, was a catechist while their mother, Rosalina Nyachwo, was a peasant farmer. The twins were the first born in a family of 10 children comprising of six boys and four girls.
At just 32, Archbishop Odongo became Uganda’s fourth indigenous bishop and the appointment also came on time for him to participate in the Second Vatican Council. He went to the Fourth and Last Session of the Second Vatican Council that took place in the Vatican (Rome) from September 14 to December 8, 1965.
Archbishop Odongo’s tenure also saw the establishment of Centenary bank which is one of the leading banks in the country. Despite the political turmoil of the 1970s and 80s, he mobilized support from Christians in his diocese and the government to establish 13 new parishes, 10 health facilities, nine schools, eight convents and other educational institutions.
The Archbishop served as a chairman of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) between 1973 and 1979. Pope Benedict XVI accepted his resignation from the pastoral care of Tororo Archdiocese on June 27, 2007 on account of the age limit.
By Jacinta Wangalwa Odongo, Media Officer,
Uganda Episcopal Conference
Uganda Episcopal Conference
