Odoki Jimmy
In a colourful ceremony at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Gulu, the Most Rev. Raphael P’ Mony Wokorach, MCCJ (Comboni Missionary of the Heart of Jesus) was installed second Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Gulu on Friday, July 12, 2024. He succeeded Archbishop John Baptist Odama. The installation ceremony was led by the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Luigi Bianco. Vice President H.E Jessica Alupo and Chief Justice Alfonso Owiny-Dollo among other dignitaries were present.
Archbishop Wokorach had hardly served for three years as Bishop of Nebbi diocese when he was elevated and transferred to the Archdiocese of Gulu. Born on January 21, 1961, in Arua, Archbishop Wokorach went to Ragem Primary School. He joined St. Peter and Paul Minor Seminary, Pokea in Arua for O Level. He then attended St. Joseph’s College, Ombachi for A level and after that Alokolum National Major Seminary in Gulu. These schools were Catholic founded and therefore played a big role in inculcating Christian values in him. He was an altar server in all these schools. In an interview published in LEADERSHIP Magazine before he was consecrated and installed Bishop of Nebbi diocese, Archbishop Wokorach revealed that he desired to become a priest since childhood. “One day a priest delivered a homily about living an eternal life if one chose to live and do the work of God. I took it literally. I drew inspiration from it and felt a calling to the priesthood.”
Archbishop Wokorach was ordained Priest on September 25, 1993, at Wadelai Parish in Nebbi diocese by Bishop Martin Luluga of Gulu diocese and his first assignment was in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo. Fr. Wokorach worked initially with the youth at a parish and later as a Vocations promoter for seven years. He then went for further studies at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome. On completion of his course, he was assigned to be a formator at the Brother’s Postulancy and lecturer of Ethics, Metaphysics and Ancient Philosophy at the Salesian Philosophicum in Lome, Togo. After three years in Togo, he was assigned to the Formation House in Chicago, USA as a formator in Theologate from 2003-2007. The next assignment took him to Nairobi Comboni Scholasticate as a formator and lecturer at Tangaza University College. He had earlier been to Novitiate and taken his first vows from here as well. Diaconate ordination was from Nairobi therefore it wasn’t new, unlike the previous places. Archbishop Wokorach speaks Kiswahili, French, and Italian languages fluently having served in all these places. He also speaks local languages Alur and, Acholi among others.
On March 24, 2021, while Fr. Wokorach was in Uganda visiting, the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Luigi Bianco called him to the Apostolic Nunciature and broke the news to him that he had been appointed Bishop of Nebbi diocese. 28 years serving outside Uganda as a missionary Priest and back home as a Bishop. He said he did not anticipate the appointment and felt a little confused and unworthy. From gained strength from the journey of Mother Mary for guidance. Also, one of the principles of the vows priests and religious people take is to be obedient to authority. Fr. Wokorach was consecrated and installed as Bishop of Nebbi Diocese on August 14, 2021. On March 22, 2024, Pope Francis appointed him Metropolitan Archbishop of Gulu. He was installed on Friday. Archbishop Wokorach chose the motto “Service with Humility”, Matthew 18:1-5 to guide his Pastoral Ministry.
Bishops who attended the installation Archbishop Wokorach include; Bishop Emeritus Matthias Ssekamanya of Lugazi diocese and former Chairman of Uganda Episcopal Conference, Archbishop Emmanuel Obbo of Tororo Archdiocese, Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki of Arua diocese, Bishop Sanctus Wanok of Lira diocese, Bishop Lawrence Mukasa of Kasana-Luwero, Bishop Damiano Guzzeti of Moroto diocese, Bishop Joseph Oliach Eciru of Soroti diocese, Bishop Vincent Kirabo of Hoima diocese, Auxiliary Bishop Santo of Juba Archdiocese and Bishop Emmanuel Lukii of Torit diocese among others.
ARCHBISHOP JOHN BAPTIST ODAMA AT THE HELM OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF GULU for 25 YEARS
In 1999, Pope John Paul II now Saint John Paul, created three new ecclesiastical provinces in Uganda; Gulu, Mbarara and Tororo Archdioceses. He appointed Bishop John Baptist Odama of Nebbi diocese to head the new Archdiocese of Gulu. Bishop Odama was installed as the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Gulu on April 10, 1999. On March 22, 2024, Pope Francis appointed the Most Rev. Raphael P’ Mony Wokorach MCCJ, the Bishop of Nebbi diocese as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Gulu. He had earlier accepted the resignation of Archbishop John Baptist Odama who served as Archbishop for 25 years and had reached the age limit stipulated by Canon 401 &1 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law. Archbishop Emeritus John Baptist Odama acted as the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese until the installation of his successor on Friday, July 12, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Gulu. On June 29, 2024, the Archbishop-elect, Wokorach received the Pallium, an ecclesiastical vestment which is a symbol of conferred jurisdictional authority, from Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Archbishop John Baptist Odama’s installation took place during a time of intense insecurity in Gulu. However, he worked very hard and served the flock under his care with love, care and compassion. He embarked on promoting dialogue and reconciliation in the war-affected region. Before he was appointed Bishop of Nebbi diocese on February 23, 1996, he served as Rector of Alokolum National Major Seminary in Gulu from 1991. He therefore understood the security challenges of the region well. Peacebuilding ranked top of his list of things to accomplish. Alokolum Major Seminary had not been spared from the insecurity occasioned by the war as it had to be relocated to Katigondo National Major Seminary in Masaka, and another time to Bukalasa Minor Seminary temporarily. Archbishop Odama worked very hard to end the war. Together with other religious leaders from Northern Uganda, they formed an association called Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative (ARLPI) and Archbishop Odama used it to spearhead the push for dialogue between the Government of Uganda and the LRA. They engaged the protagonists; President Yoweri Museveni and the LRA leader, Joseph Kony and ultimately the Juba Peace Talks began in 2006. Security in the region improved a lot after this round of peace talks.
Archbishop Odama also served as Vice Chairman and later Chairman of ARLPI for two terms. He was awarded an honorary doctorate in Philosophy by Gulu University in 2017 for his outstanding role in restoring peace in Northern Uganda. He served as Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference for two terms from 2010-2018 and was instrumental in the organization of the visit of Pope Francis to Uganda in 2015. He was Chancellor of Uganda Martyrs University during that period.
As he handed over on Friday, Archbishop Emeritus John Baptist Odama urged the people of Acholi and Ugandans to be forgiving to one another.”To forgive is not a sign of weakness but strength”, he concluded.
By Jimmy Odoki Acellam(@OdokiJ). Photos, Irene Lamunu.
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