UGANDA: Rest in Eternal Peace Archbishop Emeritus of Tororo, Most Rev. James Odongo
Archbishop Emeritus of Tororo, Most Rev. James Odongo
Andrew Kaufa, smm
The chairman of the Association of Member Episcopal of Eastern Africa, AMECEA, Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde has expressed sympathy with the Catholic Church in Uganda as they mourn the passing on of the Archbishop Emeritus of Tororo, Most Rev. James Odongo.
According to an announcement made by the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC), Most Rev. Odongo who once served as chairman of AMECEA died on the morning of Friday, December 4, 2020.
“The chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, Rt. Rev. Joseph Zziwa and the Archbishop of Tororo Most Rev. Emanuel Obbo, regret to inform you of the death of the Most Rev. James Odongo, Archbishop Emeritus of Tororo,” read the announcement by Uganda Episcopal Conference.
In his message of condolence on behalf of the AMECEA, Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde who is the bishop for Solwezi Diocese in Zambia, has expressed deep regret on the death of Most Rev. Odongo whom he has described as a great spiritual and visionary Church leader.
“The bishops in AMECEA region which he (Most Rev. Odongo) once served as chairman from 1973-1979 shall remember him not only as a co-worker who believed in international pastoral solidarity but also a great spiritual and visionary bishop whose leadership saw the Association realize a number of its pastoral dreams such as the initiation of AMECEA Documentation Service and the institution of the apostolate towards nomadic ethnic communities,” says the Chairman adding, “Indeed, blessed are the dead who rest from their labours for their deeds follow them”(Rev. 14:13).
According to the program just released by UEC’s Secretariat, Mass of Christian burial for Most Rev. Odongo will be celebrated at the Uganda Martyrs Cathedral, Tororo Archdiocese on Wednesday December 9, 2020. However, other requiem Masses have been planned for December 6, 2020 at Rubaga Cathedral in Kampala at 15:30 and Tuesday December 8 at Saint Austin Church in Mbale at noon.
Born in Molo on March 27, 1931, Archbishop Odongo was ordained a priest of Tororo on December 22, 1956. He was appointed Auxiliary bishop of the then Tororo Diocese on November 25, 1962 after which he was appointed as the Ordinary of Tororo on August 19, 1968. When the Diocese of Tororo was elevated to archdiocese on January 2, 1999, Bishop Odongo was appointed as the first Archbishop of the Metropolitan See, a position he held until Jun 27, 2007 when Pope Benedict XVU accepted his request upon attaining retirement age.
“We join you in celebrating the life of Most Rev. Odongo and in the prayers being offered that his soul may rest in eternal peace,” pledges Bishop Kasonde to the Catholic Church in Uganda.
