UGANDA: Bishop-elect Asks For Prayers
The Bishop Elect for Soroti Catholic Diocese Rt. Rev. Joseph Eciru Oliach has urged Christians to pray for him in his new mission as Shepherd of the flock.
He made the appeal on Good Friday shortly after concluding the Way of the Cross which was organized by St. Mary’s National Major Seminary and Christian community of Ggaba Catholic Parish in Kampala.
In his short message, the Bishop-elect asked for prayers and spiritual support from Christians after he was introduced to the congregations by Rev. Fr. Paul Masolo the Rector of St. Mary’s National Seminary where he has been a lecturer and a formator until receiving the news of his appointment as Bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese.
While emphasizing the importance of indulgence, Rev. Fr. Dr. Paul Masolo, the Rector of St Mary’s National Seminary Ggaba, said Christians should pray according to the intention of the Holy Father so that their sins are forgiven to enable them begin a new life.
In a related development, a section of Catholic students from Busitema University Arapai Campus in Soroti district have expressed their gratitude to Pope Francis for appointing Rt. Rev. Joseph Eciru Oliach as bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese.
Recently, over 60 students who travelled in their school bus met with the Bishop at Ggaba Seminary in Kampala where he had been a lecturer before receiving the appointment.
Most of the students who found their way to the seminary to visit the bishop and prayed with him. They said the appointment was well received since the Diocese had been without a Bishop for about five years.
Bernard Emwamu, said the appointment of Rt. Rev. Joseph Eciru as Bishop has come in unique manner since he is the native son who will provide spiritual and pastoral care to the Christians in Soroti Catholic Diocese.
He said, “we are very grateful to Pope Francis for appointing our Bishop. It has been the first of its kind that we are getting a bishop from our land. We pray that God may guide him to lead the Diocese and guide the family of God.”
Maria Abego said the appointment of the new Bishop will be the force to renew cooperation and hard work among the people of God in Soroti Catholic diocese.
“Am very grateful about the Bishop-elect because he is our son from Soroti; that is why am very happy. I believe he will work very well with priests in the Diocese.”
Meanwhile Rev. Fr. Moses Apuri, the Busitema University chaplain revealed that the appointment of new Bishop was accompanied by intensive prayers, urging the Christians to continue praying for the success of his mission.
“We are greatly honoured to receive the new shepherd. We pray that the good Lord may use him to do whatever He wills for this Diocese and we entrust the Diocese to Him and Mother Mary to intercede for us.” Fr. Moses said.
Rt. Rev. Joseph Eciru Oliach was appointed by His Holiness Pope Francis as Bishop of Soroti Catholic diocese on the 19th March. 2019, during the solemnity of St. Joseph, patron of the universal Church. He will be ordained and installed Bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese on the 25th May 2019 in Soroti in a liturgical celebration expected to be presided over by Most Rev Emmanuel Obbo, the Archbishop of Tororo.
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