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The newly commissioned Don Bosco Pece Acoyo Chapel. By Proscovia Achomo Gulu City Christians of Don Bosco Pece Acoyo Chapel under Atede Parish, Gulu Archdiocese have been called upon to emulate the dedication and commitment of the late Fr. Danijel Lisjak, a Sl
The newly commissioned Don Bosco Pece Acoyo Chapel.
By Proscovia Achomo
Gulu City
Christians of Don Bosco Pece Acoyo Chapel under Atede Parish, Gulu Archdiocese have been called upon to emulate the dedication and commitment of the late Fr. Danijel Lisjak, a Slovenian Salesian missionary popularly known as Don Danilo, by actively supporting the work of God and taking full ownership of their church.
Born on August 4, 1951, Fr. Danilo Lisjak was a “hands-on” missionary who constructed many buildings and infrastructure for Salesian missions in Africa. Known for his impetuous, energetic approach—often compared to St. Peter—was deeply committed to the Salesian mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (2001–2006) and Uganda.
Fr. Danilo passed away on April 26, 2025, following a road accident in Uganda. During the commissioning of the newly constructed church, Monsignor Martin Agwee, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Gulu, praised Fr. Lisjak for his unwavering dedication. He revealed that Fr. Danilo was initially transferred to another province in Rome, but at the request of the archbishop, he returned to complete the church project. Tragically, he lost his life, yet his commitment remained unshaken.
“Fr. Danijel ‘Don Danilo’ Lisjak was initially transferred to another province in Rome, but at the request of the archbishop, he returned to complete the construction of this church. He gave his all to this mission, yet tragically lost his life. His unwavering commitment reminds us that building the Church is not only the work of the archdiocese—it is the responsibility of every Christian. We must all be willing to sacrifice, serve, and give of ourselves for God’s work, just as he did,” Monsignor Agwee said.
Fr. Lazar Arasu, a Salesian of Don Bosco based at Atede Parish, urged the faithful to take responsibility for the church, which was incepted in 2021. He emphasized that the church now belongs to the Christians and that they must actively maintain it, including contributing financially. He reminded them that priests may be transferred at any time, leaving the church behind, and therefore it is up to the community to care for and sustain it. “This church is yours,” Fr. Arasu said. “Ownership is not just about presence; it is about responsibility, commitment, and sacrifice.”
Charles Odong Kigundi, a member of Don Bosco Pece Acoyo Chapel, encouraged the Christians to follow the example of the disciples by inviting and attracting more people to the church. He also urged them to work toward the development of their community and ensure that people know a church exists in their area. “Now that a church exists here, it is our responsibility to grow both faith and community,” Kigundi said.
Christians were also encouraged to contribute towards the construction of a house for the catechist, who currently lives far from the church. This will allow him to stay close, protect the church, serve the Christian community more effectively, and be accessible to the faithful at all times.
The family of the late Fr. Daniel ‘Don Danilo’ Lisjak poses with Salesian religious inside the newly commissioned chapel.
The family of Fr. Danilo was present at the commissioning, led by his blood sister, along with religious representatives from Slovenia. They thanked God for the gift of Fr. Danilo and commended him for his unwavering love for God’s people, noting that, despite the challenges of raising funds, he never gave up and personally carried out fundraising in Slovenia to support the church’s construction.
“Through Fr. Danilo, we have become part of the Pece Acoyo Chapel family. We are deeply grateful for his life and work, and we pledge to continue supporting the projects he started so that his legacy lives on. His love for God’s people and his tireless dedication inspires us, and we will do our best to honor him by carrying on his mission,” said his nephew, speaking on behalf of the family and religious representatives from Slovenia.
According to Father Godwin Cekecan, the parish priest of Atede Parish, the church will soon be consecrated by the Archbishop and transformed into a Eucharistic center, ensuring that Christ remains at the heart of the chapel’s life and activities.
The church, which sits on 8 acres of land and can accommodate between 800 and 1,000 Christians, stands as a lasting legacy of Fr. Lisjak, whose life of service, perseverance, and sacrifice continues to inspire the faithful.