By Fr. Isaac Ojok, Communications Office, Lira Diocese
At least 191 Christians from Alito Catholic Parish received the Sacrament of Confirmation during a joyful celebration presided over by the Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok, the Bishop of Lira Diocese.
The event took place on September 17, 2025, at Obuto Catholic Chapel. Before the confirmation Mass, Bishop Wanok officially established the Obuto Sts. Peter and Paul Chapel as a Eucharistic Centre. The announcement was met with great joy and excitement among the Christian community.
This celebration marked the second day of the bishop’s pastoral visit to the parish. During his homily, Bishop Wanok started with a greeting of peace, acknowledging that society faces many troubling issues that often cause fear and uncertainty in people’s lives. He reassured the faithful that God sends the Holy Spirit to strengthen and renew them, reminding them that God’s Spirit moves among their homes, searching hearts, and bringing transformation.
“Ask the Lord to give you the gift of the Holy Spirit,” the bishop urged. “Let your prayer be that the Holy Spirit may come down and renew your lives.”
He emphasized the importance of unity within the Church and the community, urging the faithful not to allow divisive opinions to take hold among them. “Let the Spirit make you an example of unity. Do not divide people with your words or actions. Instead, live in a way that brings people together,” he said.
Bishop Wanok urged the congregation to use the gifts God has given them to bring transformation to their communities. He warned that hiding these gifts could lead to losing them entirely. Among these gifts, he highlighted the ability to sing and praise the Lord.
He commended the choir, especially the women’s guild, for their visible presence in bright yellow attire, symbolizing Christ walking among His people. He also addressed catechists, reminding them of their special role as pastoral agents who must reveal Christ to society through their words and actions.
Turning to the youth, the bishop encouraged them to nurture their talents—especially in football and other sports, and to use those abilities to build love and unity among themselves.
Bishop Wanok also had a special message for parents. He called on them to draw closer to their children through love and parental care, striving to build families founded on unity, love, and open dialogue. He urged them to demonstrate their faith through action, especially in tough moments such as illness or family struggles.
He called on all families to embrace daily prayer, particularly the Rosary, saying: “There are miracles in praying the Rosary. It dispels the darkness of evil in our families.”
Bishop Wanok encouraged the faithful to be messengers of peace and comfort in their communities, emphasizing that true peace can only come from God. “God has empowered us through the Holy Spirit, which we received at baptism, to go out into the world and proclaim the Good News.”
He then asked the candidates for confirmation to sing a hymn, calling upon the Holy Spirit to descend and renew the face of the earth.
In a more serious tone, the bishop expressed concern over social and political issues affecting Alito and neighboring areas. He lamented the rise of divisive politics and the commercialization of elections. “Those who engage in vote-buying and those who accept it are all participating in theft,” he warned.
He concluded his homily with a heartfelt prayer for the renewal of families and the parish community, asking the Holy Spirit to cleanse them from hatred, bad politics, religious discrimination, and other societal ills.
End
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