UGANDA: Bishop Paluku Calls for Prayers and Joint Efforts to save DR Congo
Bishops Kibira and Sikuli During Mass
Masereka Peter
Seven priests from Butembo-Beni Diocese have been abducted and killed by suspected insurgents of the Allied Democratic Forces operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 2012, according to Rt. Rev. Melchisedec Sikuli Paluku the diocesan Ordinary.
Bishop Sikuli Paluku who made a courtesy visit to the diocese of Kasese to officially deliver an invitation letter for his Silver Jubilee of his Episcopal Ordination after concluding his pastoral trip in Bwisela parish in the DR Congo reported that the insurgences in Eastern Congo that has caused insecurity and killing of many innocent individuals including religious and lay faithful started soon as him being ordained a Bishop 1998.
In an interview with AMECEA correspondent on 03rd July 2023 at the Bishop House Diocese of Kasese, Msgr. Sikuli Paluku Melchisedec called for prayers and joint efforts to save DR Congo before confirming that his twenty-five years as a bishop cannot account for the seven Priest who were abducted and later killed in the hands of ADF insurgents.
Bishop Paluku who said of the seven, the first three were Missionary priests abducted in 2012, calls on peace loving children of God to join efforts aimed at ending war in the Eastern part of the former Belgium colony.
The Pastor said Bwisela Parish in his diocese is located on the Hills of Rwenzori Mountain in Eastern DRC that has been dominated by cases of insurgency that could not allow his Pastoral work in the area for the last fifteen years.
Last weekend, however, Bishop Paluku who asked the ADF insurgents to talk peace used the Kasese-Fort portal-Bundibugyo route in Uganda to reach Bwisela parish in DR Congo where he spent a night before confirmation Mass on Sunday.
During the Morning Mass at Our Lady of Assumption Kasese Cathedral Church led by Bishop Kibira, in His Homily Bishop Sikuli said blessed are those who believe and trust in the Devine power of God despite the magnitude of the challenge they are passing through noting that whereas Biblical Thomas, one of the twelve Apostles doubted Jesus’ resurrection, he never accused him but gave him an opportunity to witness it.
Sikuli said from the story of Thomas, believers ought to pray for the intervention of the Holy Spirit for guidance so as to believe even when they have not seen.
Bishop Sikuli Paluku who said had taken fifteen years without Visiting Bwisela Parish over insecurity in the Eastern parts of DRC, had a stopover to officially invite Bishop Kibira and Christians here for his Jubilee celebrations as a Bishop due on 11th August, 2023.
Bishop Francis Aquirinus Kibira Kambale asked believers in Christ to be united and promote prayers in their families to strengthen faith in the Lord, condemning the attack on religious in DRC.
Director for Caritas Kasese, Rev Fr. Anyasio Mbusa assured the diocesan visitor the Kasese Diocesan prayer and zeal t6o attend the celebrations.
On August 11th, Bishop Paluku will be celebrating his Silver Jubilee as the Ordinary of Butembo-Beni diocese.
