By Fr. Isaac Ojok, Communications Office, Lira diocese
Lira, March 2, 2026 — The Bishop of Lira diocese, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok, has called on heads of department to cultivate a spirit of humility, compassion, and communion in their service to the Church.
Speaking during a Eucharistic celebration at the Curia chapel in Barogole on Monday, March 2, 2026, Bishop Wanok delivered a homily themed “From Shame to Mercy, From Judgment to Communion,” urging heads of department to embrace synodality not merely as a method of governance but as a spirituality rooted in mercy.
Reflecting on the reading from the Book of Daniel, the Bishop highlighted the prophet’s communal confession: “Yours is the integrity, Lord; ours is the shame.” He noted that Daniel did not distance himself from the sins of the people but stood in solidarity with them.
For us gathered as curia members, this is the first lesson of synodality,” Bishop Wanok said. “We do not stand above the Church. We stand within the church. We do not diagnose from a distance. We discern from inside.”
He cautioned against rigid structures and defensive attitudes in Church administration, reminding the members that integrity belongs to God alone. “A synodal Church begins not with strategies, but with humility,” he emphasized.
Drawing from the Responsorial Psalm — “Do not treat us according to our sins, O Lord”, the Bishop underscored that authentic listening in synodal life must be grounded in mercy. “If we listen in order to judge, we are not truly listening. If we listen in order to defend ourselves, we are not discerning,” he said.
Referencing the Gospel of Luke, Bishop Wanok stressed Christ’s command to “Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate.” He acknowledged that those serving in the departments regularly deal with policies, reports, and decisions, which can easily lead to measuring and classifying others. However, he warned that “the measure we use will be the measure we receive.”
“Synodality is not merely a method of meetings. It is a spirituality of relationship,” the Bishop stated, outlining key virtues necessary for curial service: humility in acknowledging shared weakness, dependence on God’s mercy, and the practice of compassion.
He encouraged curia members to prioritize listening before speaking, unity before winning arguments, pardon before demanding accountability, and communion over competition.
Describing God’s grace as “a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over,” Bishop Wanok said generosity of spirit in Church leadership brings abundance to the entire Christian community.
Concluding his homily, delivered during the Lenten season marked by the violet liturgical color of repentance, the Bishop called for interior renewal before structural reform.
“Before we can renew structures, the Lord wants renewed hearts,” he said. “May we measure with mercy, lead with compassion, and listen without judgment.”
The Eucharistic celebration formed part of ongoing efforts within the Diocese to deepen synodal collaboration and spiritual renewal among Church leaders.
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