Diocese Bulletin (No. 139)

December 2015
Published by the Communications Department and printed by the Arua Diocese Printing Services, P.O. Box 454, Arua
No. 139
Pope opens the Holy Door to mark the
beginning of Jubilee Year of Mercy
P
ope Francis has opened the Holy
Door of St Peter’s Basilica on the
Feast of the Immaculate Conception to mark the beginning of the
Jubilee Year of Mercy.
“We carry out this act – as I did in
Bangui – so simple yet so highly symbolic, in the light of the word of God
which we have just heard. That word
highlights
the
primacy
of
grace. Again and again these readings
make us think of the words by which
the angel Gabriel told an astonished
young girl of the mystery which was
about to enfold her: “Hail, full of
grace” (Lk 1:28).
Pope Francis said the Virgin Mary was
called to rejoice above all because of
what the Lord accomplished in her.
“The fullness of grace can transform
the human heart and enable it to do
something so great as to change the
course of human history,” the Pope
said, adding that the feast of the Immaculate Conception expresses the
grandeur of God’s love. “This is the
love of God which precedes, anticipates and saves,” the pope said.
The Pope explained that the beginning
of the history of sin in the Garden of
Eden yields to a plan of saving love
and that the history of sin can only be
understood in the light of God’s love
and forgiveness.
Reflecting on the jubilee, he said the
Extraordinary Year itself is a gift of
grace. “To pass through the Holy Door
means to rediscover the infinite mercy
of the Father who welcomes everyone
and goes out personally to encounter
each of them. It is he who seeks us! It
is he who comes to encounter us! This
will be a year in which we grow ever
more convinced of God’s mercy,” Pope
Francis said. He said we always speak
of God’s punishment rather than speak
of God’s mercy. He said we have to put
mercy before judgment, and in any
event God’s judgement will always be
in the light of his mercy.
In April Pope Francis issued Miseri-
Arua Diocese Bulletin
Pope Francis before the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome
cordiae Vultus (The Face of Mercy),
the bull of induction of the extraordinary jubilee of mercy, commencing on
the feast of the Immaculate Conception in 2015 and concluding on the
feast of Christ the King in 2016.
At that time the Pope emphasised the
centrality of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and highlighted the importance of the corporal and spiritual
works of mercy. He pointed out that so
many people, including the youth,
were returning to the Sacrament of
Reconciliation and that through this
they are rediscovering a path back to
the Lord, living a moment of intense
prayer and finding meaning in their
lives.
“Let us place the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the centre once more in
such a way that it will enable people to
touch the grandeur of God’s mercy
with their own hands.”
The Pope also said that during the jubilee, he will send out special
“missionaries of mercy,” priests “to
whom I will grant the authority to pardon even those sins reserved to the
Holy See”-- that is, certain excommunicable offenses listed in the Code
of Canon Law such as the desecration
of the Eucharist, the use of physical
force against the Roman Pontiff, or a
priest’s revelation of sins heard in the
Sacrament of Penance.
According to the Holy Father the significance of the beginning date is twofold. The feast of the Immaculate Conception “recalls God’s action from the
very beginning of the history of mankind. After the sin of Adam and Eve,
God did not wish to leave humanity
alone in the throes of evil. So he
turned his gaze to Mary, holy and immaculate in love (cf. Eph. 1:4), choosing her to be the Mother of man’s Redeemer. When faced with the gravity
of sin, God responds with the fullness
of mercy.”
Additionally the opening of the Holy
Door coincided with the fiftieth anniversary of the closing of the Second
Vatican Ecumenical Council. He said
the Church feels a great need to keep
this event alive, since with the Council,
the Church entered a new phase of her
December 2015
Radio Pacis celebrates 11 years, wins
NSSF accolade for best employer
By Sr. Grace Candiru, MSMMC
A
s Radio Pacis marked 11 years of
broadcasting, the anniversary
celebration was boosted with an
award from the National Social Security Fund, (NSSF) to Arua Diocese Media
Centre as the best employer.
The award which came under the
Bronze category saw Arua Diocese Media Centre emerge as the only company/institution to win the prestigious
award in the whole of the West Nile
Region and, only one of the three in
Northern Uganda. Radio Pacis with its
three frequencies (90.9Fm, 94.5FM
and 101.4 FM) is a department within
Arua Diocese Media Centre.
The other winners in the same category
are St Joseph’s Technical school in
Layibi, Gulu and St Kizito Nursery and
Primary School in Lira Municipality.
The award stems from Arua Diocese
Media Centre’s timely contributions of
its employees’ savings to NSSF’s pension scheme. With this scheme NSSF
covers all employees in the private sector including Non Governmental Organisations, which are not covered by
the government's pension scheme.
Speaking at the anniversary celebrations Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki of
Arua Diocese began by congratulating
Radio Pacis for making it to 11 years.
“Like a father with many children, the
departments are children, Media Centre and Radio Pacis are the best and I
continue to pray for you to grow,” the
Bishop said
He said the Radio has registered a lot
of achievements but that he
would wish to add one. He
said in his travels outside
the diocese in the US and
even in Kampala he is able
to listen to the radio
through streaming. He
thanked the management
for this innovation of making the radio available
worldwide.
Catting the cake!
Turning to the NSSF
award, Bishop Sabino said
he was happy to hear of the
award given to Media Centre as the best employer. “I
have been telling you that
you are the best department and now you can see
even others have said so,”
the Bishop said, adding it
was the most organised
department in the whole diocese. And
he added: “If you get an award it is not
for nothing; you are working very hard,
so keep on.”
But the Bishop warned that the award
should not “make us” proud as pride
spoils everything. “We should only be
grateful to God that we are able to do
this,” he said. He said his prayer is that
all the other departments in the Diocese should follow suit in the example
of Radio Pacis.
Further on, the prelate underscored
the importance of radio for us to carry
the message of God, saying that is why
the church is fully behind the radio. He
said Vatican II Council brought this out
very clearly when it came up with the
document Inter Mirifica where the
mass media was discussed by the
Council Fathers.
They gave mass media the right play
that it is very important for evangelisation. He said as the staff work, they
should not forget that evangelisation
and the development of the human
person are the most important things
that they are dealing with.
“You are not just working for more
money but also doing the work of the
Lord which is evangelisation.” And he
added: “We may not be paying you as
you would wish, but God will top up,
God will do the rest,” he said.
The Bishop also thanked the Board of
governors for giving good direction to
the management and the whole of the
Media Centre, saying without their
direction, an award like this would not
come.
“An institution without a good board
can not do well. But when we have
competent people, on the board, then
management will do well and the institution will do well,” the Bishop said.
He said he was happy that this award
came at time when this current board
is working.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
December 2015
2
Bishop Sabino also thanked the management saying if they didn’t respond
to the directives of the Board, things
would not work. He likened the roles
management and the board play to the
two wings of an aeroplane or the pedals of a bicycle which must both function in order to make the aeroplane or
the bicycle to work. He therefore called
on all the stakeholders to keep the radio vibrant, saying “Radio Pacis is the
pride of Arua Diocese.”
Meanwhile the Director of Arua Dio-
Arua Diocese Bulletin
cese Media Centre, Fr Tonino Pasolini recalled that
at the beginning it was not easy to convince some
people about the importance of radio. He said
when he shared the wish of the people in Arua Diocese to start a radio station some people opposed it
saying the diocese should start something else.
But this according to Fr Tonino was because in Europe/Italy a great majority of FM stations are purely for entertainment. As such, he said it was very
difficult to convince them that the radio is such a
powerful means of communication.
He said when they (he and Sherry Meyer) eventually took up the task they had no idea of what a radio
station should be like. But since last year for example the radio has been recognised in so many ways.
In November 2014, Media Centre received the European Solar Prize and in February there was another award given to the best performing station in
reporting peace journalism in Uganda.
Then in April, three reporters from Radio Pacis
received individual awards from Uganda National
Journalism Awards in various categories, and now
the NSSF award for best employer. This is in addiApamaku Gaetano, program manager, Fr. Tonino and Bishop Sabino O. Odoki
tion several other awards that the Station has
bagged over the years, among them, the British BroadcastThe Bishop also commented on Henry’s work ethic which
ing Corporation (BBC) Africa Radio awards for the “New
can be reflected in the life of Sherry, whom he said is always
Radio Station of the year in 2007.
working. “This is what our children want to see. The best
lesson is taught by example” the bishop said.
He said the NSSF award goes to the management – to the
human resource manager and to the finance office because
Earlier on, Sherry told the congregation during the eulogy
this is an award for the best employer. “This is the best in all
of her father and nephew Brent Michael Baumann that her
West Nile, they haven’t given to others,” the director said to
father instilled strong work ethic in his children. She recalls
the cheering congregation.
that her father urged her to get a job at quite a very young
He explained that the award is about compliance because
they follow the laws of Uganda. “Many years ago when we
wanted to be registered with NSSF some of the staff said no,
no, no we can not! And we said no! We are here in Uganda
and we will comply with the laws in Uganda,” he recalls.
Bishop Sabino celebrates
sacraments of initiation
at Manibe S. S.
The Station Manger, Acidri Ernest, also emphasised on issues like integrity, discipline, honesty and work ethic that
Sherry’s had hinted on during the eulogy of her late father.
A
rua Diocese Bishop Sabino
Ocan Odoki has celebrated
the sacraments of initiation
at Manibe Public Secondary
School.
The SM said this place has been what it is because of the
commitment of a lot of stakeholders. “This institution/
facility is here because of the respect and trust of the donors. The people they have entrusted have handled everything with a lot of honesty,” he said.
The celebration which took place at
the School’s St Stephen chapel saw
45 students receive the sacrament
of confirmation, 4 receiving first
communion and one being baptised. The Bishop urged the candidates to have constant prayers, receive Holy Communion as well as
read the Bible so as to strengthen
their faith.
On the issue of sustainability he said where we have
reached, it is very important that we sustain it and maintain
its credibility. “At this level where we have stiff competition
for everything, we risk loosing in the market if we give any
chance for other things that are not necessary,” said the SM
who is one of the longest serving staff.
Another challenge that the SM identified was the advancing
broadcast technology. Whereas some of the technology we
are using is good, he said every other day new tech is emerging. He said as we celebrate 11 years, we should be prepared
for even newer and more advanced technologies in the system. “We used to carry big recorders, now you only carry a
recorder which looks like a pen and that is something we
have to be focussing on,” he said.
The prelate further urged the students to acquire
knowledge, respect their teachers and obey the rules and
regulations of the school.
At the end of the celebration, Bishop Sabino also presided
over the inauguration of the 2015/2016 academic year
school prefects, where Angutoko Kennedy was sworn in as
the head prefect. Other students who took up leadership
positions were Acidri John Bosco and Ajidiru Josephine
sworn in as head boy and head girl respectively. The Bishop
urged the new student leaders to cooperate with both teachers and students for the smooth running of the school.
In the celebration that also served as a memorial service for
Sherry Meyer’s late father and nephew, the Bishop gave his
words of encouragement to Sherry for the loss of her loved
ones. He said Henry Meyer (father to Sherry Meyer) had
been a strong believer who did not keep the faith to himself
but shared it with his children. He said this was a lesson
that other parents, guardians and people in leadership position could learn from Henry. “He shared his faith with his
children and through the children he continues to share his
faith even with us,” the Bishop said.
Arua Diocese Bulletin
By Atandu Jimmy
Communication
Secretary
The Headteacher of the school, Ms Ajidiru Hoglar thanked
the Bishop for accepting to come to the school to celebrate
these sacraments. She also thanked the members of the staff
for their dedication, hard work and cooperation while calling on the students to maintain their discipline. ■
3
December 2015
Adult Religious Education necessary
for on-going Christian formation
U
sing the words of Bishop
Emeritus Frederick Drandua of
the diocese of Arua, “the
growth of Arua diocese in the past
years can be seen in many aspects of
the Church life.” Many Christians
have accepted their responsibility to
respond to their baptismal call and
announce the Good news to all.
Through their membership in Catholic associations, Catholic adults are
praying together and putting the Gospel at the centre of their lives. They
are committed to serve other members of the human family according to
the specific aims of their associations”.
Is adult religious education possible? The primary purpose of our
Catholic associations is to help the
members grow in faith. To bear witness to a committed Christian life
based on Gospel values.
In Arua diocese we have four major
adult lay apostolate groups that can
only work well when they are given
religious education. These groups are
Catholic Women Association of Arua
Diocese (CWAAD) with full members
of 5,942 and aspirants of 7,027. This
is because many of these women are
not married in Church. Catholic Action of Arua Diocese (CAAD) with full
members of 11,518 and aspirants of
133. Catholic Men Association (CMA)
with full members of 149 and aspirants of 341.
The main problem of the Catholic
men is lack of commitment and leadership. We also have Christian Family
Association (CFA) with full members
of 344 and 236 aspirants. Ombaci
Deanery alone has 1,916 (CWAAD),
3,366 (CAAD) 33 CMA and 92 (CFA).
The number one parish in Arua diocese in the formation of Lay Apostolate associations is Ombaci parish
with 372 CWAAD, 647 CAAD, and 46
CFA.
We also have movements like Catholic
Charismatic Renewal, Neo Catechumenal Way, St. Egidio Community,
Catholic Workers Movement, Catholic
Professionals, and Catholic Teachers’
Association. Through these groups
adult Catholic education is possible.
Christian education for adults is
something that has taken on a new
importance in recent years. As Church
due to the reformation, we inherited a
pattern of teaching even of morality
where question and answers were
December 2015
Members of CWAAD & CAAD during offertory procession at the Centenary Celebrations at
Indriani. CWAAD and CAAD are some of the active lay apostolate groups in the Diocese
given in brief (Catechism) without
much application in life and elaboration on the Bible and Church teachings.
With these adult groups it is possible
to have adult religious education.
Even the Small Christian Communities provide another forum for education. We already have the materials
for this education – “Growing together” series (7 books with 84 sessions)
which can take seven years for you,
one session every month. We have
“God renews the world through us”
which leads us into action. Other education is given in the booklets Catholic Association of Arua Diocese for
Adults and Lay ministries in Arua
Diocese.
Why I feel that we must take
adult religious education seriously.
1. Our Catechesis has been largely
directed towards children. We think
that catechesis is only passing on of
truths and laws of the Church without
much attention to the actual situation
of the learner; the child at school is to
receive all the knowledge it would
need for its life.
2. We also assume that Children had
to be taught all the truth of religion at
school because once they leave school
you won’t get them again. The family
must become a place for formation.
4
3. We have to look at the im-
portance of the human person as the
receiver of God’s Word; we see the
various stages in a person’s life have
to be taken seriously in catechesis.
4. Reflecting on African traditional
life, we can see how the community
was built on the adults. Meetings, decisions, defence of values and initiation rites are still in the hands of
adults.
5. We would like to change our own
adult attitudes, to be “converted” and
renewed as the Church asks us to be.
This can only be done through adult
religious education.
We all fetch our congregation from
the same community with other religious denominations. Who will continue to belong to our Church depends on how effective and efficient
our catechesis is in answering the
needs of the people.
Therefore I urge all pastoral agents to
take religious education as the main
activity with these groups. Other issues like support of the Church and
church leaders should be done by all
Christians. Encourage them to attend
recollections, retreats, prayers, formations and meetings for their religious education. These members need
one another to grow in faith. ■
By Fr Acidri Aquilino. The writer is the
Pastoral Coordinator of Arua Diocese.
Arua Diocese Bulletin
Moyo Parish
welcomes
new curate
Suicides claiming young lives
C
ommunity members of Ewadri Community Development Association are
loosing more and more youths to suicide than other forms of deaths.
On Tuesday 14th July 2015, a 39-year old man was found groaning alone in
bed. Next to him was a bottle that contained pesticide and the room where he laid
was full of the stench of the poisonous chemical. Efforts to save his life were fruitless and he was buried two days later. He left behind a widow and three children.
A month later, a 29 year- old was rushed to Arua Regional Referral Hospital. He
was said to have mixed a cupful of a pesticide known as ADB and drank it. He
died in the hospital shortly after.
The underlying causes of this phenomenon according to family sources are that
the actions of the deceased were often preceded by quarrels, fights and disagreements with spouses or other family members over land or financial matters at
home.
It is therefore clear that while society can not avoid failures or shortcomings, society ought to do more in developing strategies of managing conflicts in their
homes. Most often it is factors such as personal failure and lack of love that lead
to frustrations and a state of hopelessness in life
The chairman of Ewadri Community Development Association, Olema Nicholas
who organised the burial services for the cases above lamented that the community is losing useful members in the society to suicide. “Why don’t you open up,
communicate and share burning issues with other people so that you may be
helped. If you keep quiet and nurse your problems with alcohol, you will not solve
the problem,” he reasoned. He advised people to seek counselling from religious
leaders and other associations where ideas can be shared.
Meanwhile the Zone catechist of Ewadri, in Oriajini Parish, Viterio Enaku called
on society to value life and preserve it saying the commandment “Do not kill”
implies that no one has a right to kill even if it is your own life. “Suicide provides
no escape from problems but only delivers you to judgment by God,” he warned.
By Andama Raphael,
Communication Secretary
Catechists urged to model lives on Christ
The Parish Priest of Odravu,
Fr Philip Omba has called on
catechists to trust in God at
all times and model their
lives in the ways of Jesus
Christ, saying challenges are
part of their work.
Re-echoing the priest’s message, the chairperson of finance committee of Odravu
Parish, Onziga John took it
further and called on catechists to be firm in their faith
and take the the same message to the Christians amidst
temptations.
By Godfrey Aziku,
Communication
Secretary
The duo made the calls at the end of
a five day team work during the catechists’ week which saw a total of
twenty-three catechists from different chapels in Odravu parish recently
converge at Nyoko Zone Centre.
With the theme; “New life in Christ”,
the team leader, Kamba Martin revealed that the catechists were very
cooperative and did whatever was
assigned to them. He said the catechists were divided in groups while
Arua Diocese Bulletin
carrying out the teamwork. He named some
of the chapels covered
as Kado, Wolo and
Nyoko, among others.
He said 23 catechists
turned up for the
teamwork with only six
missing. Three of the
catechists who attended were female with
aspiring catechists.
Buga Joseph, the catechists’
chairperson
thanked the Christian
community for the support offered to
them during the teamwork. Some
Christians offered the team food
items like groundnuts, maize and
cassava flour, among others.
Meanwhile, the chairperson of Nyoko
chapel, catechist Aciga Zakari praised
the catechists for their good behaviour during their stay. He thanked
them for various services, especially
helping the needy, doing charitable
works such as visiting the sick and
cleaning around the church. ■
5
O
ver two hundred Christians in
Moyo Parish gathered at Moyo
Multipurpose Training Centre’s
Molinaro hall to welcome their new
curate, Rev Fr. Moses Onzima from
Obi Parish.
During the function, Rev Fr. Onzima
said that it was a rich day where all the
speeches give and also save lives. He
thanked the parish priest of Obi Parish
for his kindness and encouraging
words.
He then made this pledge: “I am now
here as a Catholic priest to the whole
of hymn book, to the Bible, the Catholic tradition, education plus all that the
church wants me to do. I will strive
day and night to hold on to that and
also keep connected especially with my
parish priest to see that I’m not offside.”
Fr Onzima also pledged to be united
with the other priests for effective service delivery. He called on the parish
priest to introduce him in the various
chapels of the Parish and the government officials in the area.
In the mass led by Fr. Onzima, the acting Parish priest, Fr. Henry Ondoga
expressed his happiness over receiving
a new priest in the parish. He said that
the challenge of limited number of
Priests has been solved, as the appointment of the new priest brings the
total number of priests working in
Moyo Parish to five.
Fr. Marchelino Waigo the Dean said
that receiving a new priest in the Parish has energised the Parish and would
make it easier for the word of God to
spread since the number of priests has
been increased.
Fr. Moses was accompanied by Fr.
Dominic Tamale, the superior General
of Missionaries of Jesus the Divine
Master and Christians from Obi Parish.
Fr. Marchelino told the Christians to
be united and support their priests. He
also called on the Christians to start
building their churches rather than
relying on donors who are currently
pulling out.
The function was made colourful by
the St. Kizito children of St. Mary Assumpta’s Catholic Church Moyo
through their active presentation during the celebration. They accompanied
Fr. Moses and the whole congregation
from the Parish Centre to Molinaro
Hall and back to Parish Centre with
dancing. ■
By Oduti Albert,
Communication Secretary
December 2015
RADIO PACIS AND ARUA DIOCESE MEDIA CENTRE HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
2012
2012 April
2012
2012
2012 October
2012 November
2012 December
Through donor funds, More Fun Daycare Centre was established within the perimeters of the Arua Diocese
Media Centre to serve the needs of parents working at institutions of Arua Diocese in the Ediofe area.
The IT department made a major upgrade to the computer network system. The operating system of the
servers was changed to Linux.
Partnerships continued with PANOS East Africa and UMDF (Uganda Media Development Foundation).
Rural Debates became a major outcome of these partnerships.
Uganda celebrated 50 years of Independence and Radio Pacis programming raised awareness among the
listeners about the event.
External auditors certified the accounts of three fiscal years (2009-2010, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012). The
external auditing will continue for all fiscal years.
The Centenary of Catholic Faith in northern Uganda culminated in a celebration at Holy Cross Pilgrimage
Center in Indriani. Radio Pacis broadcast live from Indriani each day for one week prior to the celebration
and broadcast live all day on December 16. Cardinal Filoni of the Vatican Congregation for the
Evangelization of Peoples visited Radio Pacis and addressed the staff.
2013
2013 February
2013 March
2013 March
2013
2013
2013 September
2013 September
2013 November
2013 December
Days of Recollection were held for all the staff of Arua Diocese Media Centre White Castle Hotel in Arua.
The days of prayer allowed staff members to spend time with God’s Word. Funded by private donations, the
initiative was well-received and encouraged to be an annual event. The Day of Recollection for the staff of
Radio Pacis 101.4 was held in Gulu in April.
An external evaluation of Radio Pacis 90.9, 94.5 and 101.4 was conducted by CAMECO and financially
supported by Catholic donor agencies in Germany and Austria. The evaluation team was in Uganda from 26
February through 21 March. The team conducted interviews and focus group discussions with a broad
spectrum of stakeholders
The original mast for supporting the antennas needed for broadcast from Ediofe became unsafe and
unstable. Donations from Germany and the Comboni Missionaries provided the needed funds for the
erection of a new mast.
Through donations from Amico Sole in Italy, the solar park at Arua Diocese Media Centre was enlarged.
The power generation system for Radio Pacis 101.4 in Gulu Archdiocese was improved with solar energy
through donation from the Episcopal Conference of Italy (CEI).
The final report of the CAMECO evaluation team was delivered. The report was positive and provided some
direction for future planning.
The experience of live, outside broadcasting was extended to the annual pilgrimage to Holy Cross Pilgrim
Center at Indriani on September 14th.
External auditors certified the accounts of the fiscal year 2012-2013.
The experience of live, outside broadcasting was extended to the annual pilgrimage to Lodonga Basilica on
December 7th.
2014
2014 February
2014 March
2014 March
2014 April
2014 April
December 2015
Days of Recollection were held for all the staff of Arua Diocese Media Centre at White Castle Hotel in Arua.
All groups used Pope Francis’s exhortation, THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL for their reflection. The Gulu staff
used the Spirituality Centre in Layibi and the Kampala staff met at Mbuya Parish.
Radio experts from Radio Vatican conducted training of the radio staff; the staff of other Catholic radios in
Uganda participated as well. The training was supported by CREC International. This opportunity for training
in broadcasting consistent with our Catholic identity boosted the staff morale and commitment.
Arua Diocese Media Centre hosted a celebration on March 19th, the feast of St. Joseph, for Fr. Tonino’s
Golden Jubilee of priesthood and his 75th birthday. Bishop Sabino presided over the Mass and reception. In
addition to thanking God for the gift of Fr. Tonino, the event fostered unity in the diocese and nurtured
relationships between Radio Pacis and others.
The station manager, Sherry Meyer, was invited to be a panelist at a national media conference organized
by the Uganda Media Development Foundation (UMDF) and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS). The
conference title was “Creating an enabling Environment for Professional Journalism in Uganda: The Role of
Media Owners and Managers”.
Radio Pacis was recognized in the first ever Uganda National Journalism Awards, an initiative of the African
Centre for Media Excellence with support from the Dutch international development organization Hivos.
Radio Pacis journalist Ojok Emmanuel was awarded first place in the category of local reporting. Ojok
received a large cash prize and a trophy. He and another Radio Pacis journalist, Hafiz Bakhit, also took
runner-up prizes in the environment category.
6
Arua Diocese Bulletin
2014 April
The President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni came to Radio Pacis to inspect the photovoltaic system and bidirectional meter connected to the WENRECO grid.
2014 July
Radio Pacis, in collaboration with Arua Diocese Education Department and teachers from the USA,
sponsored a three-day workshop for teachers. The workshop was designed as an exchange of ideas
between the Ugandan and American teachers. The workshop ideas were extended to others through a talk
show each evening.
2014 August
The management and board of governors embarked on a strategic planning process. Dr. Epiphany Picho, an
MIDM priest of Arua Diocese, facilitated a two-day workshop to gather the initial data for the formulation of a
strategic plan.
2014 August
The Candidate-Mentor recruitment program, which had been running annually since 2006, was modified and
renamed Exploring Radio Careers.
2014 October
The tenth anniversary of broadcasting on 90.9 FM was celebrated on all three frequencies! Special
programming, including Radio Rural Debates about Radio Pacis, staff profiles and listener contests filled the
airwaves for weeks. About 400 guests celebrated the anniversary at the Arua Diocese Media Centre with
Mass and a reception. Bishop Sabino presided; Bishop Emeritus Frederick Drandua also participated.
2014 November
With technical support from BBM Austria and financial support from CEI (Episcopal Conference of Italy), the
solar park was enlarged to a production of 100kwp.
2014 November
Radio Pacis won the European Solar Prize for its solar energy project. In the category "One-World Cooperation": the solar prize was given to Radio Pacis for the photovoltaic plant reducing operational costs and
promoting solar energy in rural Uganda.
2014 December
External auditors certified the accounts of the fiscal year 2013-2014.
2014 December
Radio Pacis was selected as a model radio station in a partnership with USAID/SAFE and Uganda Radio
Network (URN) regarding the Promotion of Conflict Sensitive Journalism through Radio. Through the
partnership Radio Pacis received training and mentoring in conflict-sensitive journalism and monthly financial
support to facilitate the production of the Radio Pacis program called Peace is Possible. Radio Pacis was
recognized as the Best Performing Radio Station in promoting Conflict-Sensitive Journalism in Uganda for
2014 and received a desktop computer as a reward.
2015
2015 February
In 2014, Radio Pacis was selected by UMDF to participate in a partnership to develop peace journalism.
Through the partnership Radio Pacis received training and mentoring in conflict-sensitive journalism and
monthly financial support to facilitate the production of the Radio Pacis program called Let’s Talk Peace.
Radio Pacis was recognized as the best performing station in reporting Peace Journalism programs in
Uganda for 2014.
2015 February
All the staff of Arua, Moyo, Gulu and Kampala participated in one of the four days of recollection held at the
Christus Centre. A Christian missionary couple led the retreat based on the Synod on the Family themes.
2015 April
Three Radio Pacis journalists were among the fifty finalists for the ACME Uganda National Journalism
Awards 2015: Hafiz Bakhit, Lekuru Annet, and Ojok Emmanuel. Radio Pacis was the only radio station in the
country to be named among the finalists. Radio Pacis journalist Hafiz Bakhit was awarded first place in the
category of sports reporting. Hafiz received a large cash prize and a trophy. Radio Pacis journalist Lekuru
Annet was awarded second place in the category of justice, law and order reporting. She received a cash
prize and a trophy. Radio Pacis journalist Ojok Emmanuel was awarded third place in the category of local
reporting. He received a certificate.
2015 May
With technical support from BBM Austria and financial support from donor agencies, the solar park was
reconfigured to allow the use of the solar even when the WENRECO grid is off.
October 21, 2015
November 2015:
Arua Diocese Bulletin
The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) awarded the management of Arua Diocese Media Centre with an
important recognition: the best employer in the West Nile region! The ceremony was held in Kampala at
Serena Hotel.
A certificate of recognition was awarded by United Nations Uganda to Radio Pacis for promoting Maternal
and Neonatal Health in Northern Uganda.
7
December 2015
Teremunga chapel
choir elects new
leaders
E
piphany choir in Teremunga
chapel, Koboko Catholic parish has a new choir leadership.
The elections which took place recently saw Caira Bosco elected as
the new chairperson, replacing
Candia George. Anguyo Ginno is
the vice chairperson while Taibo
Florence and Toko Alex have been
elected as the secretary and vice
secretary respectively.
Amaku Nelson has retained his
position as the treasurer and Pascal Afedra took the position of an
adviser to the choir.
In his acceptance speech, the newly
elected chairperson called for unity
so as to improve the moral and
economic standards of the choir.
Re-echoing the chairperson’s call,
the Catechist of Teremunga Chapel, Paul Akuma called on members
to work together to promote the
activities of the Choir. ■
By Ronald Acema, Assist.
Communication Secretary.
S
NGO intervention to improve
education in Lower Madi
everal stakeholders and representatives of school children
from four sub-counties in Lower Madi have discussed a number of
issues that affect the peace of children in learning and teaching.
During the one day Baraza meeting
organised by Forum for Education
NGOs in Uganda (FENU) held in
Ajagoro coordinating centre, participants identified among other problems shortage of teachers, staff houses, lack of feeding and clean water in
schools as factors that affect learning. Other issues like poor relationship among teachers, administration
and the community as whole were
affecting learning and teaching in
schools.
Robert Luswata, a FENU officer
based in Kampala says the organisation works with peace building advocacy in Education and that children’s
education matters a lot. He encouraged high pupil enrolment in schools
which should be maintained for continuous teaching and learning.
The Acting District Education Officer
and District Inspector of schools for
Vurra County, Wadri Henry cautioned parents and pupils to embrace
education by giving support to teach-
ers and attend school regularly. He
explained that Arua District is one of
the 28 districts in Uganda piloted for
FENU activities.
An Irish education officer, Irene Naiga reveals that FENU report shows of
every ten pupils enrolled, seven never complete primary education, with
only three continuing to higher levels. The officer whose organisation
partners with UNICEF therefore
called for fair treatment of children.
She promised to train teachers on
alternative punishment instead of
corporal punishment given to children.
The sub-county chief of Rhino Camp,
Olema Annet has singled out negative attitude towards education and
some policy matters as some of the
roadblocks to education. She appealed to Madi sons and daughters to
go to school in order to become civil
servants in their land.
Meanwhile increase of staff ceiling
and accommodation, banning of discos and sensitisation of communities
on the importance of education were
outlined as factors that could improve education. ■
By Anindu Francis,
Communication Secretary
Pope opens year of Mercy; Bishop Sabino opens Holy Door of Lodonga Minor Basilica
same evangelization that had existed
from the beginning.
In addition to the holy door at St. Peter’s Basilica and the indulgences that
are typically offered during a jubilee
year, the Pope directed that each diocese of the year take part in the jubilee.
In Arua Diocese, Bishop Sabino Ocan
Odoki opened the Holy Door of the
Minor Basilica at Lodonga, during the
annual pilgrimage to celebrate the
Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
During his homily Bishop Sabino
called Christians to prayer, to value the
sacrament of reconciliation and to Eucharistic adoration as we mark this
Jubilee year of Mercy. He called on
Christians to undertake corporal and
spiritual works of mercy to fruitfully
live this jubilee year.
Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki of Arua Diocese before the Holy Door of Lodonga Minor Basilica
Continued from Page 1
history. The Council Fathers strongly
perceived, as a true breath of the Holy
Spirit, a need to talk about God to men
and women of their time in a more
December 2015
accessible way. The walls which too
long had made the Church a kind of
fortress were torn down and the time
had come to proclaim the Gospel in a
new way. It was a new phase of the
8
The Bishop outlined acts such as sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick
and feeding the hungry as acts corporal works of mercy, while instructing the ignorant in the faith and bearing wrongs patiently among others as
spiritual works of mercy. ■
Arua Diocese Bulletin
New parish Church opens at
Angaba Spiritual Centre
O
ver
five
thousand
Christians
recently
witnessed
the opening
of St Kizito
Catholic
church Angaba SubBy Anguma Charles, Parish to a
Communication Secretary. parish status by Bishop Sanctus
Lino Wano of Nebbi Catholic Diocese.
The parish which started in 1931 as a
chapel has been curved out of
Parombo parish due to the increasing
population of Christians. Over the
years the number of Christians has
grown to 24,000 spread out in 5
zones, sixteen chapels, 67 small
Christian Communities with 35 catechists. The area also has eleven primary schools, one secondary school
and a market at Nyalu.
Father Alfred Agwokotho, the parish
priest of Parombo, from which the
new parish was curved, explained
that the new parish is blessed with
two priests, two nuns and three seminarians who hail from there.
He however singled out some pastoral challenges such as nonsacramental marriages, poverty,
witchcraft
and
demonstrations,
which the new priest will need to
take care of with love. At the time of
the inauguration of the parish, no
resident priest had been appointed
yet.
The Chairman Organising Committee, (COC) of the celebration, Apyera
Lourdel who spoke on behalf of the
parish welcomed the new parish
priest. He thanked the priest for accepting God’s call to come to St Kizito saying the new parish is a place
of peace, love, forgiveness, care and
openness.
The COC Chairperson further revealed that President Yoweri Museveni donated 200 iron sheets, 100
bags of cement and a motorcycle for
the parish. And for the inauguration
of the parish, Apyera said the celebration cost over 14.6million.
He appreciated the efforts of the
Small Christian Communities and
catechists for their persistence and
devotion in raising the money. He
also thanked the politicians, business
community and civil servants who
have been very supportive in contributing money regardless of their religious affiliation. ■
Catechist warns youth
on abortion
O
riama Zone Catechist Joel Aroga has warned
the youth of Ocodri parish about the criminal
acts of abortion saying it is against the Catholic Church’s teaching.
Aroga gave the warning during a recent Sunday service he celebrated at Oriama Chapel.
By Anguyo Moses,
The Zone Catechist warned that the Catholic Church
Communication Secretary
has constantly condemned abortion as a direct and
purposeful termination of the life of unborn babies.
“The Catholic Church believes that all life is sacred from conception until natural death and the taking of human life whether born or unborn is morally
wrong,” the Catechist warned.
Amandu Seti, the in charge of Bileafe Health Centre III called upon youth not
to look at abortion as a solution to their problems but rather seek advice from
the Church leaders. He also called on parents to talk to their children about the
dangers of abortion. He advised the youth to be active in Church activities by
joining church associations.
The health officer further revealed that many girls who conceive in their teenage die as a result of abortion and others end up being victims of fistula complications. He appealed to parents to stop teenage marriages and abortion in the
community. ■
Arua Diocese Bulletin
9
KALUCA choir
members
attend retreat
F
ather
Zachary
Yaya has
challenged
members
of
KALUCA Choir
to take a step to
have their marriages blest in
Church.
Ajuni Charles, The priest made
Communication this recommenSecretary. dation during a
one day retreat
for KALUCA choir members at Our
Lady and St. Jude Catholic parish –
Nagguru in Kampala.
Fr Yaya warned that he would invite
the Ordinary of Arua Diocese, Bishop
Sabino Ocan Odoki to give mass wedding to the members next year if the
choir members do not take up his advice.
The one day retreat was facilitated by
Fr Zachary Yaya, Joyce Zako, the national youth coordinator at the Uganda Catholic Secretariat, Tiyo Joseph,
KALUCA Lay Apostolate coordinator
and the head catechist of KALUCA,
Justo Ledra.
The one day retreat was meant to sensitise the members on the life of their
patron saints of the choir, St Cecilia
and St Augustine. The facilitators also
covered areas like choir ministry, the
roles and qualities of singers in the
liturgy, the purpose of the church
choir, liturgical seasons, the call of
man to serve humanity and discipline,
among others.
Catechist Ledra said God calls people
in various ways as teachers, singers,
doctors, priests, religious men and
women and as Christian. He emphasised that God’s call does not depend
on human status. “God calls both sinners and believers,” adding that once
you have started a journey finish it
once without stopping. He said Christians only rest from the work of God
when they die.
Speaking at the same function, the
national youth coordinator at the National Catholic Secretariat, Ms Zako
attributed discipline to self control.
“If Christians give their hearts to God
and do what God wants, there will be
no need of talking about discipline,”
she said. She explained that people
come to Kampala for varying reasons
December 2015
– others good and others not good.
She warned about the bad behaviour among some choir members such as gossiping, drunkenness, smoking and chewing of ‘mairungi’ laziness, jealousy and use of bad language and sexual abuse. She called for positive discipline in the
community and in the Church.
Another speaker who addressed the choir was KALUCA’s Lay Apostolate coordinator. Tiyo who is also a member of
Ediofe Vicariate’s Music Committe said the retreat was the first of its kind. He said the retreat was organised to provide
choir members with basic knowledge of choir ministry. He said this would help them (the choir) to perform their duties
in the church and in the community. ■
Choir members in
Maracha renew
their promises
Father Camillus Candini, the Parish priest of Micu
has called on chapel leaders to take resource mobilisation and utilisation as a priority, saying the work
requires collaboration and unity.
O
ver
100
choir
members in
Maracha
Catholic Parish
recently
renewed their
promises after
attending two
days’ retreat
at the parish
centre.
The parish priest made this call during training for
finance, planning and development committee members and catechists from eighteen chapels of the parish.
By Eyotre Titus,
Communication
Secretary
Father Charles Alia, the facilitator
for the retreat said choirs are ministers who act as salt and light
during the liturgy. He encouraged
the members to be true shepherds
by washing the feet of other Christians, as Jesus did and help those
who are in need.
The Parish priest of Maracha, Fr
Felix Guma advised members to
plant tomatoes, onions and cabbages to increase their income level in families to develop God’s
Church.
Meanwhile the chairperson for the
choir in the parish, Charles Awiziga encouraged the members to
plant fruit trees like avocados, jack
fruit, oranges and mangoes as well
as ‘tika’ and eucalyptus etc in the
parish land. He said this would
improve environmental protection
and conservation of land.
“Trees play important role in communities and institutions like
schools, churches and hospitals,”
Awiziga said, adding that trees
provide us with fruits, timbers as
well as act as wind breakers.
He said the Parish has enough
land to undertake agricultural activities in the parish. ■
December 2015
Chapel leaders undergo training in
resource mobilisation
The Curate of the parish, Fr. Mario Andiaku said the
work of the finance committee shall be Christ centred and he urged the two teams to be accountable to
each other for effective work.
Meanwhile, the chairman, finance, planning and deBy Ovua Tom Nyakuayo,
velopment committee, Mr Timitio Drapari enumerCommunications
ated some the challenges they face as follows – poor
Secretary.
understanding of the Bible on the needs of the pastors, misunderstanding of the Sunday offertory as development fund and lack
of information among others.
He urged the committee members and catechists to read the catechism of the
Catholic Church 2402 for a better understanding. The members pledged to
raise 20 million shillings in Christmas of 2015 through Christmas envelopes
which have already been distributed to Christians. ■
Ajia Parish gets
new priests
F
ather Emmanuel Bada is the
new Parish Priest of Guardian
Angel – Ajia Parish, replacing Fr Stephen Mulago who has been assigned to Bethany Charismatic Renewal Centre.
Father Silivano Awia
was also appointed as
the curate of the ten year
old parish. It is the first
time Ajia Parish has had
a curate since its foundation as a parish more
than 10 years ago.
The outgoing parish priest, Fr Mulago said Ajia is a good place/parish
with strong faith and he
appealed to the incoming
priests to correct the
poor relationship and
coordination that existed
among the business people and the civil servants.
The Vicar General was
however concerned that
the parish land had no
documents, saying the
parish is in danger of
loosing its land. He called
By Andiga Johnstone, on the new parish priest
The handover of the parCommunication to work out the process
ish which took place in
Secretary of land documentation
the presence of the Arua
with the landlords quickDiocese Vicar General, Msgr. Primo ly so as to secure parish land from
Asega had over fifty members of the
being sold. ■
pastoral council in attendance.
10
Arua Diocese Bulletin
Christians remember late Fr. Toni La Salandra
T
housands of Christians including students of Maracha Domestic Science Institute and
other dignitaries all over Arua Diocese recently gathered at Maracha
Parish to celebrate a memorial mass
for the late Fr. Toni La Salandra.
Fr La-Salandra is a Comboni Missionary who worked in parishes like
Yumbe, Odravu and Maracha in Arua
Diocese. For a time, Fr La Salandra
also served as the rector of Arua Diocesan minor seminary, Sts. Peter
and Paul, Pokea. He passed away in
August in Italy at the age of 92 years.
The Episcopal Vicar of Lodonga,
Msgr. Mathias Miria said during the
memorial mass that Fr La-Salandra
worked tirelessly to baptise and educate Christians in Arua Diocese. He
said the priest faced a lot of challenges of disease and hostility from the
people in proclaiming the word of
God.
Bishop Emeritus, Frederic Drandua
of Arua Diocese commended the
Comboni Missionaries for being loyal
to the people of Arua Diocese.
“Comboni Missionaries should be
remembered for promoting faith and
education in West Nile,” the Bishop
said. He said the life of the late Fr
Toni was very exemplary to every
leader.
The retired Bishop called on leaders
at different levels to see 50 years
ahead spiritually, educationally and
socially as the Comboni Missionaries
did.
A representative of the Lay Helpers,
Domitila Ojotaru said Fr Toni started
Lay Helpers in Arua Diocese and empowered many women as well as promote women apostolate in the
Church.
According to Domitila, some of the
women Fr Toni empowered and
trained are now tailors, secretaries,
nurses, teachers with others opening
their own hotel businesses in Arua and
Kampala.
Bro. Ben Chola, a Comboni Missionary
who attended the memorial mass appreciated the people of Arua Diocese
for being one with them.
One of the schools which the late Missionary founded in Maracha is to be
named Toni La Salandra Foundation
Senior Secondary School in remembrance of him.
In a related story, Lodonga Deanery
early last month held a special memorial mass for Fr La Salandra in the
Arua Diocese Bulletin
Fr. Toni at the Chrism Mass at Ediofe on April 4, 2012.
This was the last time Fr. Toni visited Arua.
parishes of Lodonga, Yumbe, Odravu, Koboko and Lima.
Late Fr La-Salandra came to Arua
Diocese in 1952 where he was assigned to Maracha Parish. He was
later assigned to Lodonga deanery
where he served in three parishes of
Odravu, Yumbe and Lodonga.
At the memorial mass in Lima Parish, Fr Fred Candia Drandua encouraged Christians to pray for the
dead since it is the only way we can
support the departed souls. He
challenged Christians to be prayerful and live moral and upright lives
while on earth so as to inherit the
Kingdom of God.
The Dean of Lodonga, Fr Andama
David commended the late Fr La
11
Salandra for his zeal in developing
Lodonga deanery as a whole. He said
some Christians in Yumbe Parish
wished the Comboni Missionary was
buried in the deanery so that they
would visit his tomb in memory of all
the good he did.
Among other achievements, the late
Fr La Salandra founded and built
Odravu and Yumbe parishes as well
as establishing St Daniel Comboni
Nursery and Primary School. He also
established and built Lodonga Polytechnic School and supported the
Muslim community in Yumbe district.■
Compiled by Eyotre Titus &
Boboli Bathulumeo,
Communication Secretaries
December 2015
Christians raise money to construct chapel
of Addu Chapel in Aripea Parish have raised
C hristians
slightly over 11.2million shillings in four years to construct their chapel which is now a zone centre.
According to the Chapel’s finance chairperson, Alioma
Richard the amount came from the 15 Small Christian
Communities where each contributed 750,000 shillings.
Other contributions came from politicians and dedicated
Christians like engineer Amayo Johnson who contributed
bags of cement to plaster the chapel.
The Zone leader, Drati George said plans are underway to
By Aroga Paul, Asst. raise the chapel to Eucharistic Centre and sub-parish staCommunication tus. This will be made up of three zones comprising 10
Secretary chapels. The zones include Addu, Yoro and Alio with a
total population of 16,000 Christians.
The Parish priest, Msgr. Matia Miria urged the Christians to speed up the construction of the chapel and lay the foundation for the priests’ house saying Addu deserves a sub-parish status. He said Aripea Parish has 36 chapels, which
makes it difficult to manage. ■
Christians in Adjumani
raise money for Catechists
C
hristians in Sacred Heart Parish, Adjumani have raised a
total of Ugandan shillings
564,200 to support catechists in the
eight chapels of the parish.
The collections are a result of the annual contribution to aid the catechists
in recognition and appreciation for
their services to the Christian community. This followed a recent Sunday collection and team work organised by the newly appointed parish
priest, Fr Peter Lado.
Records from the parish indicate that
the Sacred Heart chapel, (the Parish
Centre chapel), made the highest contribution of 508,000 Shillings for the
catechists serving there, while Christians of Rende chapel did not contribute anything for their catechist. The
other chapels of Unna – Christ the
King, Cinyakwia and St. Andrew –
Robidire contributed 5,800/=, 4,450/
= and 10,000 shillings respectively.
Meanwhile, Pachara made the second
highest contribution of 21,150/=,
Hospital – St John Paul II, 13,500/=,
with Kozeiza chapel contributing
1,300/= only for their catechist.
The Christians also gave food items
like maize, groundnuts, beans, cassava flour and vegetables in support of
the catechists.
The chairperson of the finance, planning and development, Akule Francis
Illa thanked the Christians for their
generous support to the catechists. He
urged them to continue with this spirit so as to realise development in the
parish.
December 2015
In appreciation for the Christians’ support towards the welfare of the catechists, the secretary for finance, planning and development committee, Alice
Mandera Vuciri said giving wins us
more friends and strengthens our faith.
“It is more blessed to give than to receive because giving is another way of
telling someone that I love you so much
and I always wish you the best,” she
said. She said through giving we show
our concern for others; we appreciate
their activities and we respect them for
what they are and what they do.
The Parish moderator, Ms Ujjeo Josephine Mamawi however advised the
catechists to use the funds they have
received well. She called on the catechists to budget the money for their
basic needs such as food, shelter, education of their children etc.
She further called on the catechists to
take their role of serving Christians seriously by being exemplary both in the
church and in the community, saying
this will encourage the Christians to
emulate their example.
By Adrani Mark,Communication Secretary.
Mingoro gets new
Acting Parish Priest
By
Ariaka
Samuel,
Comm.
Secretary.
F
ather
Victor
Onegi
Ogenmungu is the new parish priest
of Holy Trinity – Mingoro Parish.
Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki of Arua
Diocese made the appointment in
consultation with the administration
of the Capuchins (Franciscans), the
order to which Fr Ogeni belongs. The
appointment took effect on 10th October 2015.
In his words of encouragement to Fr
Ogenmungu, Bishop Sabino pointed
out that King David was chosen to be
king in a very young age and yet he
became one of the greatest kings of
his time.
“Since it is your first appointment as
parish priest, I wish you success,” the
Bishop said, adding that “with the
guidance of your Episcopal Vicar,
Dean and experienced priests, you
will succeed.”
The Bishop also called on the Christians in the parish to give support to
the new priest in doing his work.
Reflecting on the reading of the day,
the prelate explained that Christians
should multiply their talents to help
the needy people in the parish.
To the over 160 candidates who received the sacrament of confirmation, the Bishop asked them to emulate the examples of St Kizito and
Blessed Jildo Irwa who accepted to
be killed for their faith despite their
young age.
He thanked the candidates for persevering though out the time they underwent instructions and called on
them to be true Christians in the
Church. ■
Bulletin Editorial Board
We are pleased to inform you that Arua Diocese Bulletin has
an Editorial Team. This is seen as a step forward as this team
will work together to ensure that the Bulletin comes out consistently and in time. The names of the editorial team will
come out in the next issue.
We also take to opportunity to inform you that effective from
January the Bulletin will be produced bimonthly (after every
two months.)
12
Arua Diocese Bulletin