CHRISTIANS IMPLORED TO EMULATE MATRYRS BLESSED DAUDI OKELLO AND GILDO IRWA

At the extreme left, Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese Most Rev Rafael P`Mony Wokorach, followed by the Bishop of Kotido Diocese, Rt Rev Dominic Eibu Lukot, Bishop of Arua diocese, Rt Rev Sabino Ocan Odoki and Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Gulu His Grace Dr John Baptist Odoma , at Paimol Martyrs Shrine. Photo by Stephen Odong.

By Stephen Odong

Agago

The Bishop of Kotido catholic diocese Rt Rev Dominic Eibu Lukot has encouraged thousands of Christians who converged at Paimol Martyrs Shrine last Sunday to emulate Blessed Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa if they are to be true witnesses of Christ as they profess their faith in God.

He made the summon while presiding over the Holy Mass animated by Kotido catholic diocese under the theme “PILGRIMS OF GOD WALK TOGETHER AS CHILDREN OF GOD"

“I welcome all the pilgrims from all parts of Uganda and abroad for this celebration, I have come here with a team from Kotido catholic diocese to celebrate this event, I am asking for the glory of God to bring peace in the whole world, peace in Acholi land, peace in Karamoja land and peace among everyone as I also ask for forgiveness and reconciliation especially  between  the people of Acholi and Karamoja people, lets pray that Blessed Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa should pray for us to achieve this mission of peace and community building which the world is thirsty for, as the theme for this year`s celebrations  says “PILGRIMS OF GOD WALK TOGETHER AS CHILDREN OF GOD” so all of us should walk together as pilgrims of God up to heaven," he remarked .

The Bishop further added that, “as we also celebrate this day we should stand for the truth, we should ask God for forgiveness in whatever we have done wrong against other people and to God because we know accomplishing God`s mission is not easy but we need to persevere, there is no need to run away and we should not fear because  Blessed Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa openly demonstrated  that after their baptism, they accepted to be the witnesses of Jesus Christ, they knew that was not easy but they didn’t run away so we should also emulate that in order to be true faithful Christians,” he stressed.

Bishop of Kotido diocese Rt Rev Dominic Eibu Lukot , on the left and Most Rev
Rafael P Mony Wokorach the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Gulu,
on the right, addressing the pilgrims. Photo by Stephen Odong

The Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Gulu Most Rev Rafael P`Mony wokorach applauded the Bishop of Kotido diocese Rt. Rev Dominic Eibu Lokut for animating this year`s celebrations revealed the new vicar general of Gulu archdiocese. “I want to appreciate the Christians of Kotido catholic diocese for decorating the Alter precious stones, this is a great gift for which we are very grateful, I also want to announce the new Vicar General for the Archdiocese of Gulu, the new vicar general for the archdiocese of Gulu will be Rev Fr Martin Agwe,”  he revealed

Rev Fr Martin Agwe was the Chancellor for the Archdiocese of Gulu before his appointment as the new Vicar General and now he will replace Monsignor Mathew Odong who had been the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Gulu since February 2, 1995.

Rt. Fr. Dominic Eibu the Bishop of Kotido diocese and other bishop in attendance were Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Gulu Most Rev Rafael P Mony Wokorach, Archbishop Emeritus of Gulu Archdiocese Dr John Baptist Odama, Rt. Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoki, Bishop of Arua Diocese.

Besides the Bishops, there were priests, sisters and catechists from different diocese and other pilgrims.

On October 20, every year pilgrims from across Uganda and beyond converge at Wi Polo Paimol Martyrs Shrine in Agago District, to celebrate the martyrdom of Blessed Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa.

Both Blessed Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa were killed on October 18, 1918 for refusing to denounce their faith. They were beatified by St. Pope John Paul II on October 20, 2002.

Choirs of Kotido diocese singing during the mass at Paimol Martyrs shrine.
Photo by Stephen Odong
 
 
 

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