UGANDA: Christians in Lira Diocese Pledge to Refrain from Giving Alcoholic drinks to Pastoral Agents

Fr Isaac Ojok

Christians of Orum Parish in Uganda’s Lira Diocese that included Politicians, Cultural leaders, civil servants and the members of the Parish pastoral Council of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish Orum have, in a meeting with the Bishop of Lira Diocese resolved on a number of social, economic and political issues in accordance to Church doctrines.

The Rt Rev Sanctus Lino Wanok the bishop of Lira diocese during the pastoral visit to Orum Parish in Otuke district, met with the Christians on Friday 12^th August 2023 and the resolutions were disclosed to the congregation that turned up for the opening and blessing of St. Mary’s Ogwete Eucharistic Centre.

Top among the resolution is the concern on the high rate of drinking alcohol in Lango which is draining resources like money and destroying the body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

As a result, the parish pastoral council therefore resolved that, no catechist should be offered beer or any other alcoholic substance as a drink by any Christian in Orum Parish.

The resolution is observed as the response to the deteriorating situation of some pastoral agents like catechists and some Christians whose lives are being shattered and destroyed by the strong alcoholic beverages in the area.

It is further aimed at ensuring that people are helped to create time, embrace productive activities to pave way for development and growth in the families.

Another resolution is on environment where it was resolved that there shall be no cutting of trees especially the indigenous and now endangered Shea nut trees for charcoal burning but instead, each and every homestead and Chapels have been tasked to plant fruit trees in their compounds, avoid bush burning, manage disposal of polythene bags and control soil erosion.

Furthermore, it was also resolved that any land that were once given to the Church by the grand parents should not be reclaimed by the grand children with a note that, land belongs to God and cannot again be sold or contested against God.

On education, it was resolved that parents should ensure that the children are sent to school and that all Catholic founded schools shall have their School Management accountable to the diocesan Bishop.

The meeting also resolved that politicians should be close to the Church just as the Church should also be close to the politicians by offering mutual support for the common good of the people of God. Similarly, politicians were also warned against immorality like homosexuality even if the recent passing of the Anti-homosexuality law is costing Uganda especially the money that the donors are denying to send to the country.

On economy, the meeting resolved that each and every family should adopt Lira Diocese Seed Money saving project where every week some money is saved for a planned future use for development.

In his remarks, Bishop Wanok commended the Christians of Orum for their outlook to save the environment and for resolving to be close to the Church.

Also during the pastoral visit of the bishop, 100 couples received Sacrament of Holy Matrimony while 280 Christians received Sacrament of Confirmation respectively.

He asked those who received the Sacraments of Matrimony and Confirmation to guard them jealously.

End