UGANDA: Prelate Appeals to the Consecrated to fight Obstacles Hindrances to Christian Ministry
Rt Rev Sanctus Lino Wanok, the Bishop of Uganda's Lira diocese
Fr Isaac Ojok
The Bishop of Uganda’s Lira Diocese Rt. Rev Sanctus Lino Wanok has asked consecrated men and women to fight against obstacles in their ministries to enable their work bear fruits in the Lord’s vineyard.
In his homily during the Eucharistic celebration at Emmaus Spiritual Formation Centre in Kasana Luwero diocese, the bishop said to priests and some Religious men and women serving in Lira Diocese and beyond that the current society is filled with obstacles such as hatred, violence, revenge noting that serving in such society requires them to be vigilant and attentive in the ministry.
The bishop explained that if such obstacles and challenges are not addressed properly, they may lead to the hindrances to the success of their priestly ministry.
Currently, the diocesan priests, the Religious mainly from Lira Diocese including some laity from other dioceses within the country and beyond are attending a one-week Life in the Spirit Seminar at Emmaus Spiritual Formation Centre, a seminar that started on Sunday 18th June and it will end on Saturday 24th June 2023.
In his message to the participants, Bishop Wanok went on saying that hatred and other evil acts should not be part of their lives because the ministry they have chosen is to make the people of God live in unity.
He further pointed out that the culture of revenge is no longer part of their lives and that the vocations to priesthood and Religious life they have chosen is to enable the priests and the religious to help people of God build strong relationship with God and to sanctify the world respectively.
Bishop Wanok who doubles as Vice Chairman of Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) implored the priests to make love of God real in the lives of the people they serve, to create avenue for the ministry they have embraced to bear fruits in the society despite the challenges they meet.
The bishop noted that he was grateful to the people at Emmaus Spiritual formation center for the hospitality accorded to his priests of Lira Diocese and the others explaining that, the hospitality is a sign of love that should be practically lived among the people irrespective of their jurisdictions.
He concluded by reminding the priests and the Religious that convening together as brothers and sisters during the Life in the Spirit Seminar is the indication that they have fully understood the teachings of Jesus Christ and the message which is a necessity for the salvation of humanity.
The topics being taught at the Life in the Spirit Seminar include, God’s love, obstacles to God’s love, forgiveness, discipleship, teaching on deliverance, gifts of the Holy Spirit among other topics being delivered by facilitators at the center.
End
