UGANDA: Episcopal Ordination of Msgr Wokorach in Nebbi Diocese Scheduled for 14th August

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

Following the postponement of the episcopal Ordination of Bishop-elect Monsignor Raphael p’Mony Wokorach for the Catholic Diocese of Nebbi due to the country’s lockdown and suspension of public worship to contain the spread of Coronavirus, the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Most Rev. Luigi Bianco has announced the new date of installation to be on Saturday, August 14.

Announcing the rescheduled date on behalf of the Apostolic Nuncio in a statement dated Sunday, August 1, the Chancellor of Nebbi Diocese Fr. Isaiah Milton Bicanduwun noted, “The Apostolic Nunciature in Uganda through the office of the Diocesan Administrator Nebbi Catholic Diocese, has the pleasure to inform that Msgr Raphael p’Mony Wokorach MCCI, the bishop-elect of Nebbi Catholic Diocese will receive the Episcopal consecration on Saturday 14 August 2021 in Nebbi.”

Fr. Bicanduwun asks for God’s intervention towards Msgr. Wokorach a member of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus (MCCJ) and for the end of pandemic saying, “May the Lord give abundant blessings upon the new bishop and the entire Nebbi Catholic Diocese, while we continue to pray for the end of the pandemic.”

Even though members of National Covid Taskforce and the Scientific Advisory Committee instructed the Head of State to cautiously ease Covid-19 lockdown restrictions which were partially lifted, Msgr. Wokorach shared with AMECEA online that “Lockdown for Church activities is extended for another 60 days, but the Nuncio thought we go ahead (with the consecration) within the given limit.”

In an interview with AMECEA Online earlier in the month of June after the postponement of episcopal ordination that was slated for Saturday, June 26, Msgr. Wokorach appreciated the waiting period which he termed “special moment,” saying, “It is not a holiday but a grace-filled moment of preparation for something important without such a push which many people do not have.”

The Bishop-elect whose central symbol in his Coat of Arms is the “apron” highlights that, “An apron is an instrument of service that is always within reach for whoever is offering services to the society,” and wishes through God’s grace to emulate Jesus’ way of ministry and serve the people of God with humility.