By Flavia Oyuu, Lira Diocese Communications Office
Lira Diocese, Uganda — Catechists across Lira Diocese have been encouraged to rekindle the life of Small Christian Communities and to journey together with all the faithful in the spirit of Synodality, as the Church continues to emphasize communion, participation, and mission.
This call was made by the Bishop of Lira Diocese, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok, during the Diocesan Day of Prayer for Departed Pastoral Agents, held recently. The annual celebration brings together catechists, clergy, and the faithful to honor those who served God and the Church faithfully until death.
Bishop Wanok reminded the catechists that the Church is a Synodal Church, a community where everyone walks together in faith, leaving no one behind.
He emphasized that the Christian community begins in the family and urged catechists to encourage couples, starting from the chapel level, to receive the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
“As the Church moves in Synodality, participation becomes paramount,” the Bishop said. “We were baptized to participate in the life of the Church through evangelization, teaching both the young and the old the Word of God, and fulfilling our mission—to bring all Christians to the sacraments that unite us.”
While addressing Christians from Dokolo Parish, who had come to pass through the Door of Mercy, Bishop Wanok urged them to listen to the voice of God rather than their own. He encouraged catechists to return to their Christian communities and teach them how to listen to God’s voice and to live in the spirit of Synodality.
During the celebration, Rev. Deacon Isaac Opio welcomed the faithful from Dokolo Parish who had joined in the Mass to remember the pastoral agents who died in the service of God.
He explained that the Catholic Church is one, but it exists in three parts: the Pilgrim Church (those on earth), the Church in Purgatory, and the Victorious Church (those in heaven).
“The Pilgrim Church, that’s us, must pray for the souls in Purgatory,” he said, “while the Victorious Church intercedes for us before God.”
Deacon Isaac noted that when we lose loved ones, we are often filled with questions and doubts that can shake our faith. However, the Mother Church gives us hope through the Good News preached by God’s servants.
Reflecting on the day’s readings, he added, “The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God.” This, he said, assures believers that their loved ones are safe with God, who is their salvation and protection.
He concluded by inviting the congregation to pray that the Church in Purgatory may also share in the victory of eternal life.
In his remarks, the Vicar General, Monsignor Innocent Valente Opio, thanked the Bishop for taking time out of his busy schedule to celebrate the Mass, and he commended the team from Dokolo for turning up in large numbers to enter through the Door of Mercy.
Comparing catechists to infantry soldiers who face the faithful directly and carry much of the Church’s pastoral work, Monsignor Valente urged them to remain nonpartisan during the election period and to be exemplary in all that they do.
The day began with catechists from the six deaneries of Lira Diocese gathering under their respective deaneries for prayers and reflections in the spirit of Synodality. They later converged for a plenary session, during which they shared their findings and passed resolutions for the strengthening of pastoral work in the Diocese.
The event concluded with renewed commitment among catechists to deepen their role as pastoral agents, working hand in hand with the clergy to nurture faith, build stronger Christian families, and keep the flame of communion alive within their communities.
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