BISHOP ODOKI IMPLORES NORTHERNERS TO STRIVE FOR PEACE
Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki leading the Peace march through Koboko town during the commencement of the GANAL Prayer for peace week. All photos by Godwin Abedican.
By Godwin Abedican
Arua City
The bishop of Arua Catholic Diocese, the Rt Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoki has called upon the people of Northern Uganda to play their roles in establishing peace in the region.
The bishop said this while delivering the opening remarks as the host bishop at the commencement of the GANAL prayer peace week for 2025 being hosted by Arua diocese at our lady of Fatima parish in Koboko.
The bishop noted that if Northerners can create an environment for respecting each other and accept to forget the past, there is all possibility for peace to reign in the region.
“As we have come here, we want to have some collaboration. There is no peace if there is no collaboration, we want to listen to each other. There is no peace if we don’t listen to each other. We want to reconcile where we have realized that we have gone wrong. There is no peace if we don’t reconcile. We need to forgive each other. There is no peace if we don’t forgive each other. Peace is just not mere absence of war or conflict,” he said.
The United Nations declared September 21, as International Day of Peace, ceasefire and non-violence in recognition of the importance of addressing the challenges of peace and security while On January 1, 1967, Pope Paul VI established the World Day of Peace, dedicating to thoughts and resolutions of peace.
Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki speaking to the pilgrims
Considering the message of the Pope and the United Nations, the people of Northern Uganda have been gathering to celebrate the peace week, each time dedicated to the Pope’s message for the World Day of Peace and serves to strengthen the universal foundations for peace in Northern Uganda.
According to the bishop any little thing done in the region in fostering peace can be a stepping stone for peace globally.
“The idea for peace is universal. As much as we want to promote peace here in Northern Uganda, our contribution will be good for the whole world. What we shall discuss here in resolve will be good not only for us but for the whole world,” Bishop Odoki added.
The Peace Week initiative in Northern Uganda was started by His Grace Archbishop John Baptist Odama, the Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Gulu.
Archdiocese of Gulu Ecclesiastical Province, namely Gulu, Arua, Nebbi, and Lira, known as the GANAL region, established GANAL Peace Prayer week, which every year is celebrated in Northern Uganda.
This year being the 18th edition of the Gulu ecclesiastical prayer peace week which started with arrivals on Monday January 20, 2025 being hosted by Koboko runs until January 24, 2025 under the theme “Forgive us our trespasses, grant us your peace”
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