Christians in Lira Diocese joined their bishop, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok, for the solemn Good Friday Way of the Cross, marking the climax of the Lenten journey. At the end of the devotion, the Bishop delivered his Easter message, calling on believers to embrace repentance, reconciliation, and become the light of Christ in a world troubled by sin and division.
By Flavia Oyuu, Communications Office, Lira Diocese
Hundreds of Christians joined the Bishop of Lira Diocese, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok, in the solemn Way of the Cross on Good Friday, marking the climax of the Lenten spiritual journey. The faithful walked prayerfully with the Bishop in reflection on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
At the end of the devotion, Bishop Wanok addressed journalists and delivered his Easter message, calling on Christians to reflect deeply on the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice and to renew their lives through repentance and love.
The Bishop explained that the Paschal Triduum, the three sacred days from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday—invites Christians to journey closely with Christ. He recalled that on Holy Thursday, Jesus offered Himself to the Church through the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood, expressing His total love for humanity. Good Friday, he said, reveals that same love through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, where He gave His life to take away the sins and burdens of humanity.
“Christ has given us the power through His death on the cross. With this love you can conquer every difficulty,” Bishop Wanok said.
Bishop Wanok urged Christians to use Holy Saturday as a Day of Silence and recollection, encouraging the faithful to reflect on whether they have truly accepted Christ’s love and salvation. He noted that the Easter Vigil’s symbolism of light reminds believers that Christ is the light who overcomes the darkness of the world.
He warned that society today is marked by many forms of darkness, including war, jealousy, exploitation, and injustice, but emphasized that Christians are called to overcome these evils by becoming witnesses of love and reconciliation.
The Bishop encouraged the faithful not to fear standing for truth and goodness, reminding them that Christ Himself stood alone in His mission but remained the light of salvation for the world.
He further called on Christians to seek reconciliation with God, particularly through the Sacrament of Confession, explaining that Christ gave priests the mission of helping believers receive forgiveness and healing.
According to the Bishop, the true meaning of Easter is that Christ passes through the lives of believers, lifting them into a new life where they have the strength to overcome sin and live in love. He urged Christians to respect one another, restore broken relationships, and avoid taking what belongs to others.
In his message, Bishop Wanok also prayed for Uganda and its leaders, especially at a time when new leadership appointments are being made at different levels of government. He called on leaders and citizens alike to rise above the divisions and wrongs associated with elections and to embrace Christ as the true guide in serving the nation.
The Bishop also extended prayers to cultural leaders and leaders of other religious denominations, including Muslims, the Orthodox Church, the Church of Uganda, Seventh-day Adventists, and other faith communities, urging mutual respect and cooperation for the good of the country.
He concluded by wishing all Ugandans a blessed and joyful Easter, praying that the resurrection of Christ may renew hearts and strengthen the nation in unity, love, and peace.
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