UGANDA: Bishop Wanok creates New Commissions in Uganda, Lira Diocese
Rt Rev Sanctus Lino Wanok, Bishop of Lira Diocese
Fr Isaac Ojok
The Bishop of Lira Diocese Rt. Rev Sanctus Lino Wanok has created Doctrinal and Child protection Commissions for improved pastoral care in the Diocese.
He announced the new appointments on 5th April 2023 on the occasion of the Chrism Mass in the presence of the priests and the laity gathered at Uganda Martyrs Cathedral Lira.
According to the announcement, the bishop said he has appointed Rev Fr Simon Peter Olugu to head the Doctrinal Commission in Lira diocese and he will be assisted by Rev Fr Constanz Opio from the Congregation of Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus (MCCJ) as the secretary.
In his announcement, the bishop said creating Doctrinal Commission in the diocese is meant to design the vision to promote Catholic Doctrines among the people and to guide the people of God remain real and faithful to the Catholic teachings by learning and practicing.
Being enlightened by the doctrines of the church, the bishop went on to say will help the people of God to manage and address pastoral, moral and other challenges in their Christian life.
Apart from creating Doctrinal Commission, the bishop went on to announced that he has also created Child Protection Commission and appointed Rev Fr Patrick Odur also a lawyer by profession to serve as coordinator and the main role is to ensure that rights and dignity of minors and other vulnerable people are protected.
Rev Fr Patrick Odur will be assisted by Fr Dr Samuel Okori, Sr Dorine Oyela who is a member from the Congregation of Sacred Heart Sisters of Moyo, Mrs Dorine Adero a lawyer, Mr Lawrence Omara Ogole a retired civil servant respectively.
Bishop Wanok emphasized that the sole aim of creating Child Protection Commission in Lira diocese is to help promote protection of the dignity of minors and vulnerable adults most especially by using the means or mechanisms attuned with the nature of the church.
He noted that the responsibility of protecting the rights of minors and vulnerable adults requires coordinated efforts from individuals and all stake holders by use of most appropriate means.
In his remarks, the bishop invited everyone to remain responsible in ensuring that they give necessary protection and assistance to the minors and other vulnerable categories of people some of whom have been neglected, sidelined and their rights violated.
For years, there have been reports about minors and other vulnerable categories of people in the society who still face challenges like child rejection, child labour, and child marriage, lack of basic needs like shelter, food, and clothing among others.
Creating Commission for Protection of Minors in Lira diocese reaffirms the commitment of the church in ensuring that rights and dignity of children and other vulnerable categories of persons are protected and defended.
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