By Robert Elema

West Nile

The clergy, religious and the christians in Arua diocese have said, the visitation of the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda to the diocese will cement the relationship and strengthen the faith in the diocese. The Papal Nuncio to Uganda Rt Rev Luigi Bianco had been for a three day pastoral visit to Arua diocese, in West Nile region where he had been meeting with the clergy, religious men and women, the lay faithful, christians and also the refugees in Arua diocese.
 
Speaking during the meeting at Lodonga Minor Basilica on Monday, Rt Rev Luigi Bianco the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda urged the clergy, religious men and women and the lay faithful to be united so that the faith is strengthened in the diocese. "Arua diocese is blessed with many religious men and women who are working well in the diocese. Arua is one single diocese with many religious congregation so, I encourage you(clergy, religious) to work with the bishop and support him to see that the work of the church is done," he said. He appealed to the religious men and women to follow the examples of St Joseph, a man who has been simple, obedient and honest adding that they should perform their roles and responsibilities of helping the lay people to strengthen their faith. "I am happy that I visited Lodonga Minor Basilica for the first time which is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. We know this Basilica attracts Christians every year on December, 8 who come for pilgrimage so, let's use this holy place(the Basilica) for evangelization and engage in the mission to spread the good news of salvation and have respect for the place," Rt Rev Bianco added.
 
Rt Rev Sabino Ocan Odoki the bishop of Arua diocese said the church is one and that all the religious congregation should avoid working in isolation. "We are one church and we are led by the vicar of Christ(holy father, Pope Francis) and we also recite it in the creed that we are one holy catholic Apostolic church. This visit by the Papal Nuncio make it reality and we are also encouraged be united as a diocese because the local church represents the universal church," he said. He added; "The universal church is present in the local church. This is the theology so, we are not by ourselves. The moment we think of being by ourselves, then we no longer belong to the universal church and to the church of Christ".
 
 
Msgr Constantine Avaga the rector of Lodonga Minor Basilica said, they are blessed with the visit of the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda and his visit should bring change in the diocese. "Our prayer is that, the meeting with the Papal Nuncio helps us to have new approach to evangelization, new zeal for pastoral work and above all unity among the clergy, religious men and women and the lay faithful so that we grow in faith and also grow physically in the diocese," he said. He said, the coming of the Nuncio to the Basilica stresses the importance of this parish in Arua diocese because it's the first Basilica dedicated to the mother Mary in the Sub-Saharan Africa and it's a lesson to all of them especially the christians of Lodonga Minor Basilica to have commitment and respect for the Basilica because of its importance in our faith.
 
According Sr Cecilia Keliki, the coming of the Papal Nuncio reminds them of their responsibilities in helping the lay faithful. "When the Nuncio comes, he gives us sense of direction and we also feel that he is a shepherd who is looking after the sheep and we are his co-workers. He gives us direction that mends our unity of command and it helps us to tent the sheep we are looking after very well so, when he talks, it gives sense of direction and helps us to do our apostolate better," she said.

COVER PHOTO: A group photo of the Nuncio, Bishop Sabino and Some Clergy infront Lodonga Minor Basilica By Robert Elema