Arua Diocese standoff: Bishop calls for reconciliation

AGAGO.

Arua Diocese Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki has called on Christians in the Diocese to reconcile in a bid to build up a strong Christian foundation in the region.

Bishop Odoki made the remarks while celebrating his 10th Episcopate ordination anniversary at Paimol Wipolo Shrine in Kalongo Sub-county in Agago District last Friday.

He observed that if Christians remain divided, it would weaken the diocese that is growing steadily in faith.

“We have witnessed a lot of problems in Arua Diocese in the recent past and this is because the Christians are not standing with Christ. Let us pray for the diocese so that some Christians who have gone astray come back to Christ,” Bishop Odoki said.

Christians protest
Late last month, a section of Christians in Ediofe, the seat of the Arua Catholic Diocese vandalised church property and torched down the makeshift shelter for prayer erected outside the Cathedral which is undergoing renovation.

Police, reinforced by the army engaged in running battles with a group of irate Christians who attempted to evict Bishop Odoki protesting his method of work.

In his sermons to hundreds of Christians who attended the anniversary celebration, Bishop Odoki said some of the Christians who are trying to divide the church “will get lost in life unless they forge peace and move with Christ”.

“The church is stronger than an individual or group of people. Human weaknesses can be seen but the church is stronger than us,” Bishop Odoki said. He vowed to expose the rot in society adding that: “I am a strong Christian.

If I see something wrong, I cannot keep quiet over it. I reject it and that’s how we should live as Christians. I wronged no one in Arua Diocese,” he insisted.

According to Bishop Odoki, the row in Arua is being fueled by a small faction of Christians who are not satisfied with his leadership style.

I am innocent
He said a letter written by the Papal Nuncio to Uganda Micheal Blume dated September 14, exonerates him of the accusations being labeled by some of the Christians.“ [the Papal nuncio] clearly stated that I have done nothing wrong, he has proven correctly that despite some people accusing me and calling for my removal, appointment of Bishops are done by the Pope, ” Bishop Odoki said.

Gulu Arch Diocese Bishop John Baptist Odama last Thursday during the celebration of Ugandan martyrs Daudi Okello and Gildo Irwa told Christians to pray for Bishop Odoki saying he has been going through tough times.

“Bishop Odoki had a rough time; we thank God that he is present with us for the celebration, let us pray to God to protect him,” Bishop Odama said

How he became Bishop
Bishop Odoki was consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Gulu by Bishop Odama assisted by Emeritus Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala and the Apostolic Nuncio in Uganda His Excellency Christophe Pierre on October 21, 2006.

Accusations
He was later consecrated as the Bishop of Arua Diocese in October 2010, but his relationship with some priests and laity at the diocese was short lived following accusations against his management style impersonation and stirring tribal sentiments.

On September 22, Bishop Odoki survived irate Christians who wanted to evict him over accusations of failing neglecting the late Drandua during the time of his illness.

Issue at hand
Bone of contention. A group of irate Christians in Arua District on September 22, reportedly massed overnight in an attempt to evict Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki accusing of neglecting the late Bishop Drandua. Heavy gunshots rang throughout the night at Ediofe, the seat of the diocese, about 3 kilometres west of Arua Town.

Bishop Odoki basing on the previous happenings has now asked Christians in Arua Diocese to reconcile.