PICTORIAL: Rev. Wokorach installed as Gulu Archbishop, his early life
He was born on January 21, 1961, at Ojigo village in the diocese of Arua, West Nile, Northern Uganda.
Gulu: The Most Reverend Raphael P’Mony Wokorach has been installed as the Second Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese. He replaces Archbishop Emeritus John Baptist Odama.
Wakorach was installed on Friday, July 12, 2024, by the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Rev. Luigi Bianco, during a colorful ceremony witnessed by hundreds of Christians, including the Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral, Gulu.
In his message delivered by Alupo, President Yoweri Museveni congratulated the new archbishop and thanked the Catholic Church for maintaining a cordial relationship with the NRM government and working towards the socio-economic transformation of Ugandan society.
He said the church has exploited the private sector-friendly policies of the NRM government to extend social services to the public. For instance, the church has constructed a number of schools and hospitals across the country.
The president said this is proof that the church leadership is concerned about the material well-being of the believers and called upon the church leaders to continue to sensitize and teach our people about the value of hard work and self-reliance.
The president further assured Christians that the government will continue to ensure the maintenance of peace and security in the whole country and the construction of the necessary social and economic infrastructure as a way of facilitating and attracting local and foreign investments to create jobs and incomes for Ugandans.
He noted that the economic advantages that the NRM has created must be translated into jobs and wealth for the household. “It is in the best interest of everybody that Uganda continues to accelerate towards modernity, development, and political stability.”
The president also thanked the Archbishop Emeritus of Gulu, John Baptist Odama, for inviting me to attend this special occasion of the installation of the 2nd Archbishop of Gulu.
He congratulated the Catholic faithful of the Archdiocese of Gulu and thanked all of them for turning up in large numbers to witness the installation of the Most Reverend Raphael P’Mony Wakorach as the Archbishop of Gulu.
He lauded the Holy Father, Pope Francis, for choosing him to serve in this capacity. The president welcomed and congratulated the new Archbishop of Gulu, the Most Reverend Raphael P’Mony Wakorach, whom God has given the responsibility of shepherding His flock.
He said the Lord has chosen him, among many, to lead His Church into the sacred path of righteousness. “ This is a very high call. When the Lord sent Prophet Samuel to anoint David as the King of Israel, among the eight sons of Jesse, He cautioned him as follows:
“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
This shows that God considers the invisible qualities of character in the men and women He chooses to lead His people. God has equipped and prepared you to carry out the assignment that you have been given.
He noted that leadership is a crucial pillar to the success of any institution, including the church. The Catholic Church is built upon a foundation of solid and visionary leadership. He therefore called upon all believers to support and pray for the Archbishop as he commences his work in the new role.
On behalf of the NRM Government, the president commended the Archbishop Emeritus, John Baptist Odama, for using his position and influence to promote unity and development among God’s people.
Museveni said Odama has worked with the NRM government to bring peace to Northern Uganda and wake up our people to fight poverty in their homes. “I salute his efforts to create wealth and incomes through the growing of cassava for commercial purposes.”
The president further noted that Odama has set an excellent example for all spiritual leaders, adding that besides guiding the believers to work for heaven, he also encouraged them to work towards achieving decent standards of living here on earth.
Pope Nuncio Luigi Bianco invoked abundant blessings upon the pastoral ministry of the new Archbishop of Gulu in the proclamation of the good news of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the promotion of justice, peace, reconciliation, and integral human development.
Archbishop Emeritus Odama thanked His Holiness Pope Francis for allowing himself to be guided by the Holy Spirit to choose His Grace Wokorach. He congratulated the new Archbishop upon this new position, which according to him is more service, as reflected in his episcopate motto and the theme for the celebration, “service with humility.”
Early life and priesthood of Archbishop Wokorach
He was born on January 21, 1961, at Ojigo village in the diocese of Arua, West Nile, Northern Uganda. Between 1983 and 1987, Wokorach studied philosophy at the Uganda Martyrs’ national major seminary, Alokolum, in Gulu.
In 1987, he was awarded a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy by the Pontifical Urban University in Rome. He continued his studies in Kenya, graduating with a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in 1994.
He is a member of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus, also known as the Comboni Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, the Verona Fathers, or the Sons of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a male religious institute of papal law.
In 1993, Most Rev. Wokorach was ordained priest and subsequently became the priest of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus.
In 2021, he was ordained bishop and appointed bishop of Nebbi. He was this year appointed Archbishop of Gulu.
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