COPY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN REFUGEE SUPPORT, ARUA RCC CALLS ON OTHER RELIGIONS

His Eminence the Cardinal elect, Fabio Bagio (Right) making a speech during the dinner as Bishop Sabino Ocan ODoki (Left) listens. Photo by Godwin Abedican.

By Godwin Abedican

Arua

The Resident City Commissioner Arua is calling upon the religious institutions across the country to emulate the Catholic Church in support towards the refugees and immigrants being hosted in many parts of the country.

Speaking during a get together with a team from Rome at to Arua catholic diocese on Friday, Salim Kumakech, the RCC reveals that if all are to take the issues of refugees like the Catholic Church, then there would be no need for suffering among refugees.

“We are not proud that we are hosting refugees because we want to host them. From time to time, when I follow the teaching of the catholic church and particularly the teaching by the present Holy Pope that we have, he has always talked from heart on the plight of the refugees from across the world and I think people from all over the world and from all walks of life need to talk about the plight of refugees just like the catholic church has taken a lead towards that effort. I am a practicing Muslim by faith, but I take very good recognition of the Catholic Church’s stand on the issues of refugees. This is a world example to the moral standards that befits humanity and we don’t take that for granted,” Kumakech remarked.

His Eminence the Cardinal elect, Fabio Bagio from the dicastery for the promotion of integral human development under which issues of migrants and refugees they handled at the Vatican applauds the efforts by Arua catholic diocese and the authorities towards refugees.

“I thank the government officials for the support they have provided and are going to continue to provide to the effort of the catholic community here particularly welcoming refugees. In welcoming the refugees, you are fulfilling want Pope Francis is calling the culture of encounter by opening your houses your hearts too many people, brothers and sisters who are just seeking a better place to stay. While we are very concerned about refugees and migrants, we are also concerned of the local communities receiving them and they deserve to be thanked,” Cardinal Bagio said.

Arua diocese in 2016 established a vicariate for the refugees and immigrants to address the pastoral needs of the refugee’s ad immigrants in the Northern part of Uganda.

Rt Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoki, the bishop of Arua diocese therefore appreciates the efforts of the stakeholders in the diocese urging for more unity. The bishop attributes the achievements in the diocese towards refugee support to commitment from Christians and stakeholders

“We are very grateful for everything taking place in the diocese. Where people can work together, they prosper. All this is happening because of collaborations among ourselves and with people who are important in our collaboration including the Holy See, the government, business community and all the others. We have now come to own Arua diocese making it our responsibility,” Bishop Odoki expressed.

The cardinal elect Fabio Baggio and His Excellency the apostolic nuncio to Uganda Most Rev Luigi Bianco have been in the diocese on a visit to the refugee statements in West Nile.
 
 
 
 

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