Vatican appoints Obbo new Tororo Archbishop
Bishop Emmanuel Obbo
What you need to know:
Bishop Obbo will replace Tororo Archbishop Denis Lote Kiwanuka whose retirement was accepted by the Pope after clocking 75 years.
MBALE/KAMPALA- Pope Francis has appointed Soroti Diocese Bishop Emmanuel Obbo as the new Archbishop of Tororo Archdiocese.
The announcement was made by the Pope’s Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, the Most Rev Micheal Blume, at Uganda Martyrs Cathedral in Tororo yesterday.
Bishop Obbo of the congregation of the Apostles of Jesus was also chosen the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Soroti, according to a statement from the Catholic Secretariat.
Bishop Obbo will replace Tororo Archbishop Denis Lote Kiwanuka, whose retirement was accepted by the Pope after clocking 75 years.
Bishop Obbo was born on October 7, 1952 in Nagoke/Kirewa, West Budama Parish in present Nagongera Town Council. He was ordained a priest of the Congregation of the Apostles of Jesus on December 13, 1986 in Nagongera Parish.
He was ordained bishop and installed as the second Ordinary of Soroti Catholic Diocese on October 6, 2007 where he has been working to date.
He has a Doctorate in Philosophy from Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome.
Bishop Obbo also served as an assistant to the Novice Master at the Novitiate of Apostles of Jesus in Moroto and Rector of Philosophicum of Apostles of Jesus in Nairobi, Kenya.
In 1993, he was appointed Vicar General of the congregation of Apostles of Jesus.
He was from 2003 named the Rector of Apostles of Jesus Minor Seminary, Nadiket, and Vicar General Moroto Diocese, President of Board Governors St Daniel Comboni polytechnic, Naoi Moroto, before being appointed president of the School Management committee St Daniel Comboni polytechnic.
In the Catholic Church, it is a custom that once a bishop reaches 75 years, he is required to write to the Pope requesting for retirement.
Mr Bernard Osenda, the chairperson of St Augustine Catholic Church in Mbale, said the names of possible replacements are sent to the Vatican.
“This process is done in Vatican without the knowledge of the outgoing bishop and an announcement is made by the Pope,” said Mr Osenda.
