Bishops seek to reconcile Odoki, Arua Christians

ARUA.

Four bishops under the umbrella Gulu Ecclesiastical Province are seeking dialogue as their best option of resolving the current crisis in Arua Catholic Diocese.

The bishops, who made a ‘solidarity’ visit to the diocese on Tuesday, resolved during a stormy closed-door meeting to push for forgiveness in order to reconcile the laity, priests, and Arua Bishop Sabino Odoki.

Arua Diocese has been locked in wrangles following the death of Bishop Emeritus Frederick Drandua, with the Christians opposing Bishop Odoki, whose work methods they question. They also blame the church under Bishop Odoki for neglecting then ailing Bishop Drandua, who died on September 1.

The disagreements culminated in chaotic scenes in September after some Christians who were camped at the grave site of Bishop Drandua held demonstrations and were arrested by police. Bishop Odoki was forced to flee from the diocese for safety for about a week.

“Archbishop Odama asked for forgiveness since he had been accused by the Christians and the priests of recommending Bishop Odoki to serve in Arua Diocese. Even Bishop Santos Wanok (Archbishop Nebbi Diocese) asked for forgiveness and dialogue. But some of the priests instead called for investigations into the management of the Diocese, particularly its resources,” said a priests who attended the meeting but preferred not to be named so he could speak freely about the matter.

During the meeting, Archbishop Odama is reported to have expressed Pope Francis’ displeasure about the way the Christians and clergy were conducting themselves.

Archbishop Odama reported that the people were in the know of what was happening as he called for self-restraint.

He reportedly apologised to the clergy but stressed that it is the Pope who appoints bishops but with his consultation.

“I ask for forgiveness and we need dialogue and repentance,” he reportedly pleaded.

Archbishop Odama used the opportunity to forgive those who attacked him as well as Bishop Odoki and Vicar General Msgr Primus Asega on the eve of the burial of Bishop Drandua.

An unspecified number of priests have since been suspended by Bishop Odoki for allegedly being disobedient.

Bishop Wanok of Nebbi Diocese said he has asked the Christians in his diocese to continue praying for peace to prevail in Arua Diocese.

The diocese has organised adoration for two days across the diocese in order to seek for divine intervention in the crisis in Arua Diocese.

Bishop Odoki confessed that from the onset of his stewardship of the diocese, some people started fighting him immediately.

One of the priests, Fr Nakari Adiga, who has since been suspended but attended the meeting, said Arua Diocese requires a neutral person to carry out investigations into the issues of management style, micromanagement of parishes, financial management and tribal sentiments attributed to the man of God.