The second metropolitan Archbishop of Gulu, Most Rev. Archbishop Raphael P’mony Wokorach was installed Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese on the 12th of July. The 63-year-old prelate was installed Friday from St Joseph’s Cathedral in Gulu City after the imposition of a pallium in a colorful ceremony presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda Archbishop Luigi Bianco.

A Pallium is a woolen vestment conferred by His Holiness Poe Francis that symbolizes jurisdictional authority. However, for the first time, the Pallium which was received from Pope Francis on June 29 was imposed on Archbishop Wokorach by the Apostolic Nuncio in the country.

Archbishop Wokorach replaces John Baptist Odama, the Archbishop Emeritus of Gulu who retired on March 22 after clocking 75 years having served at Gulu Archdiocese for the past 25 years. The installation ceremony graced by Vice President Jessica Alupo who represented President Yoweri Museveni as Chief Guest began at 10 am and attracted thousands of Christians, cultural, and political leaders from far and wide.

In his maiden sermon to the thousands of Christians who turned up for the ceremony, Archbishop Wokorach thanked his predecessor for the great work done at the archdiocese without getting tired. “You have been retired by age, but you can still do much in the Ministry. You are here and we shall minister together to the people whom you have served for all these years. We pray for the archdiocese and the sustenance of God to keep you in the Ministry,” said Archbishop Wokorach.

He asked the Christians to continue praying for him as he assumed the new responsibilities of leading the faithful in the Gulu Archdiocese. After his installation, the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Luigi Bianco also announced Archbishop Wokorach had been appointed by His Holiness Pope Francis as an apostolic administrator of the Nebbi diocese until a new Bishop was appointed.

Archbishop Emeritus Odama told the congregation in his remarks that his service in the Acholi Sub-region for the past 25 years has been a significant milestone to which he attributed the success he gained to God.

He asked Christians in the Archdiocese to pray for the newly installed Archbishop to have good health and a successful Ministry that will promote evangelization, peace, unity, love, reconciliation, and the promotion of interreligious groups.

Archbishop Emeritus Odama also asked the new archbishop to work towards the reduction of violence within families and communities in the metropolitan area of Gulu. He asked for forgiveness from those whom he might have wronged in the past 25 years of service arguing that he too has forgiven those who wronged him.

Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo Chigamoi however told the newly installed Archbishop to fit in the shoes worn by his predecessor arguing that Archbishop Emeritus Odama left a legacy in his 25 years of leadership. “Your grace, you finally took the shoes left behind by John Baptist Odama, he put on a size 15. So, the challenge is for you your grace to match the high standard set by the first Archbishop,” he said.

Justice Owiny-Dollo also noted that the new Archbishop assumed office at a time when the region was facing a burden of socio-economic insecurity and asked him to join the fight to restore the lost glory of the sub-region.

He lauded Archbishop Emeritus Odama for his services as a peace icon and described him as a person the majority of the leaders relied on the past for his spiritual and moral leadership. President Yoweri Museveni in a written message read by Vice President Jessica Alupo congratulated Archbishop Wokorach upon taking the new responsibility at Gulu Archdiocese.

Quoting from the bible in Samuel 16:7, the President likened the appointment of Archbishop Wokorach to how God chooses leaders not just from their outward appearance but from invisible characters. “Leadership is a crucial pillar to the success of any institution including the church. I call upon all believers to pray for the new archbishop as he commences his new role,” said President Museveni.

The President praised Archbishop Emeritus Odama for his tireless efforts in fighting for peace and poverty eradication arguing he set an excellent example for all spiritual leaders. “On behalf of the NRM government, I commend Odama for using his position to promote unity and development among his people. He has worked with the NRM government to bring peace in Northern Uganda and fight poverty and efforts to create wealth through the growing of cassava,” said President Museveni.

President donated 20 million shillings towards the installation ceremony and gave the new archbishop a brand-new car, a Toyota G-X-R Land Cruiser 2023 model. Before his appointment on March 22 this year by Pope Francis, Archbishop Wokorach served as the Nebbi Diocese Bishop since March 2021.

The archbishop of Gulu archdiocese, Dr. John Baptist Odama, last Saturday ordained one seminarian to the order of deaconate and and four deacons to the order of priesthood from St. Joseph’s Cathedral parish Gulu.

The archbishop immediately tasked the new servants of God to commit themselves fully to continuing with work of the Chief shepherd Jesus. “the first beauty for you is to serve Christ, Christ is the first priest and the first shepherd, so you will be learning form Him how to serve and you will do this in the catholic church but you also do it among humanity not necessarily only the Catholics, the whole of humanity is your area of apostolate, you are to build the church, the church here on earth bringing all the people of God together as the Temple of the Holy Spirit,” the Archbishop said.

The newly ordained Rev.Fr. Idro Kenyi Denis, said, “I thank everyone who have contributed for me to reach the Holy Alter of the Lord and I pray that he may guide me and every one, the only word which can express it is, I have big joy for that,” Felix Bongomin, a newly ordained deacon, said he still has a long way to go but he is excited for being a servant of God and ready to serve God`s people.

The Minister for Labour Gender and Social development, Betty Amongi Akena, who was the guest of honor implored the new servants of God not to fear guiding the politicians. “Do not fear to tell the politicians the truth, remind them when they are not leading the people in the right way “, she said.

According to the Archbishop Dr. Grace John Baptist Odama, 6 more seminarians will be ordained to the order of deaconate and 4 more deacons will be ordained to the order of priesthood on the 19^th of August 2023 from Kitgum Catholic Mission and one deacon will be ordained priest from Patongo catholic parish in Agago district on 26^th of August 2023.