Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Opio, the Diocesan Chancellor said the priests were stripped off their powers of order and governance with immediate effect but asked Christians to continue praying for them.
Lira Catholic Diocese has indefinitely
suspended four priests. They are Fr. John Bosco Ojede, Fr. Joel Omeja, Fr.
Moses Otom, and Fr. Alfred Okello Junior who were serving in different parishes in the Diocese.
Their suspension was announced on Thursday by Rev. Fr.
Emmanuel Opio, the Diocesan Chancellor during the ordination ceremony held at Lira
Cathedral Ordination Ground.
Without divulging more details, the chancellor
said the priests were stripped of their powers of order and governance with
immediate effect, but asked Christians to continue praying for them.
//Cue in: “Painfully the Bishop…
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The canon law stipulates that a cleric can only be suspended if he has been found guilty of committing a crime.
The chancellor also announced the transfer of several priests
within the diocese.
They include Fr. Deogracious Odwee from Aloi to Teboke Parish, Fr.
Carlos Ojuka from Teboke to Aduku as curate, Fr. Douglas Owera from Minakulu to
Alanyi Parish and Fr Caesar Okello from Anyeke to Amolatr parish, among others.
Earlier in the day, Bishop Sanctus Lino Wanok, ordained
four priests; Fr. Isaac Ojok from the Missionary Congregation of the Camillians,
Fr. Haron Ojok and Fr. Moses Opio from Uganda Martyrs Parish Minakulu, and Fr.
Brian Ekwaro from the Spiritan Congregation originally from Christ the King
Teboke Parish.
The Bishop urged priests to be obedient and accountable
to their superiors, emphasizing the symbolic importance of the ordination,
describing it as an opportunity to emerge from the darkness of suffering into
the light.
He encouraged priests to abandon past traditional
desires and dedicate themselves fully to preaching the gospel.
Luo bite:
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Translation:
“Execute your pastoral work every day with happiness and
love. Do not pursue your desires because other people abandon their
pastoral work or execute it hurriedly because they want to supervise their house construction project…This is not the behavior of a servant of God so do
not do that. Beware that you share the work of God with your supervisor, serve
together with him under his guidance.”
The newly ordained priests will continue their service
in the parishes where they previously served as deacons, bringing fresh zeal
and dedication to their new roles as priests.
Imat Filda Opio, whose son (Fr. Isaac Ojok) is among
those ordained expressed her joy and gratitude for her son's calling saying she
will sleep soundly at night.
