BISHOP ODOKI CALLS FOR GENEROUS SUPPORT TO CLERGY

Rt Rev Sabino Ocan Odoki, Bishop of Arua Diocese during the ordination of nine priests and seven deacons.(All Photos by Onzoma Albert)

By Onzoma Albert

Arua City

Political leaders and church authorities in Arua Diocese have called upon the Christian community to generously support their clerics welfare. This appeal was made during the ordination of nine priests and seven deacons at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral, Ediofe.

During his homily, Rt Rev Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki, urged the Christian community to support the clergy, who rely heavily on the faithful for their daily sustenance.

“For us clergy we are not salaried but depend on the people we serve, so the priests and deacons I am ordaining need your support, others are already retired, some are sick and we don’t have any place and means of keeping them,” he said.

Hon Phiona Onzima, Member of Parliament for Ayivu West, who represented government, encouraged the Christian community to provide both material and spiritual support, stressing that priests depend on this assistance for their well-being.

“I want to appreciate the clergy for sacrificing themselves to serve the lord that shows that they have so much faith in God, I pray that the almighty God see them through in this journey, we Christians should pray and support them because once you become a priest there is no salary paid to you but I want to tell you that we as Christians are right behind you,” she affirmed.

Hon Rose Obiga, Woman Member of Parliament for Terego District, added a cautionary note, urging the community to give generously without falling prey to corruption.

“We all know that our clergy are not paid any salary, then we should not be pushed to give the little support we have to help them, I don’t want to hear that you have been arrested for taking what belong to the clergy, what we give is to keep the clergy in a good position,” she said.

MPs Hon. Onzima Phiona, of Ayivu West in Arua City (in Kitenge) and Hon Obiga Rose for Terego Woman representative dressed (in Gomesi), at the ordination in Ediofe Cathedral.

There are various ways the Christian community can support the clergy, including direct financial contributions for parish and priestly needs, material gifts like food, transport, and vestments, and active volunteerism within church ministries, choirs, and community outreach programs. Spiritual backing through prayer for their health and guidance is also emphasized.

Both church and political leaders agreed that since priests dedicate their lives to God, it is the community’s duty to sustain them in their ministerial work.

Arua Diocese, being the largest in Uganda with over 2.6 million Catholics across 69 parishes, exemplifies the importance of collective responsibility in supporting clergy to continue their evangelization and pastoral roles.