ST. AUGUSTINE CHAPEL’S MINAKULU NEEDS 16M TO REROOF DEROOFED CHAPEL

By Ambrose Okai
 
Oyam

St. Augustine Chapel Ajaga, in Minakulu Catholic Parish, Lira Diocese, is facing challenges as they struggle to raise over 16 million Ugandan shillings needed to reroof their chapel.

This situation arose after Rt. Rev. Bishop Santus Lino Wanok, during a recent pastoral visit, directed that the chapel's roof be removed. The decision was based on safety concerns due to poor construction, which posed a threat to the congregation.

With the removal of the roof, the chapel has been left vulnerable to the elements, prompting both church leaders and the congregation to call upon well-wishers for support in meeting the financial demands of the project.

The absence of a proper roof has left many Christians worried about the continuity of worship activities, especially with the rainy season already underway.

Francis Omara, one of the church members, expressed deep concern about the impact this situation is having on their faith and church activities.

“This broken roof of St. Augustine-Ajaga is causing many problems. For example, rains have come back, leaving Christians with no option. Once it rains, there is nowhere to pray from.”Omara said. He raised fears that some members may lose their sense of connection to the church.

Adding to these challenges, Johnson Okeng, highlighted the risks faced by Christians who now pray under tree branches near the chapel.

“Tree branches under which Christians are currently praying sometimes fall on them, but we have no option. This temporary solution poses risks to the safety of the congregation, especially during heavy rains or strong winds,’’Okeng said.

Despite these hardships, the chapel leadership remains determined to address the issue as explained by Dickson Owani, the chairperson of the chapel’s pastoral council who explained that plans are being developed to provide at least a temporary solution.

“The issue of our church roof is a concern, and we are seeking to borrow from the seed fund initiative from the Lira Diocese, which Christians intend to repay later adding that this chapel accommodates over 200 people.

He said that recently they brought in an engineer who estimated the total cost to reroof it to be 16 million shillings.

‘’For now, the church is considering constructing a temporary stand-alone shelter within the deroofed chapel to ensure that the congregation has a safer place to gather and worship. The leaders are hopeful that with contributions from well-wishers and support from the diocese, they will be able to meet their financial target and restore the chapel to its former state’’ Owani explained.