By Fr. Isaac Ojok, Communications Office, Lira Diocese
ALOI Parish, Lira Diocese — The Bishop of Lira Diocese, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok, has challenged Christian families to remove cultural practices that hinder couples from celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, saying strong Christian families are essential for building a united Church rooted in Christ.
The Bishop made the appeal 4th July, 2026 while addressing hundreds of Christian leaders from parishes under ALOI Deanery during his pastoral visit to ALOI Parish, the headquarters of ALOI Deanery. The gathering brought together Christian leaders, priests and religious from ALOI, Omoro, Alanyi, Aliwang, Orum and Abongodyang parishes.
The visit forms part of Bishop Wanok’s pastoral tour of all deaneries in Lira Diocese, accompanied by his Vicars, to personally deliver a pastoral message to the lay faithful. The pastoral visits are being conducted under the theme: “Walking Together in Christ: Communion, Participation and Mission for an Eucharist-Centred Community.”
Welcoming the Bishop and his delegation, the Dean of ALOI Deanery, Fr. Bernard Approved, thanked the diocesan leadership for making time to meet the faithful.
“We are honoured to receive our Bishop and his team. This visit strengthens our faith and reminds us of our shared mission in the Church,” Fr. Bernard said, urging participants to listen attentively to the Bishop’s message.
In his address, Bishop Wanok thanked Christians for responding to the invitation and particularly commended the faithful from Omoro Parish, noting that they arrived early despite travelling the longest distance.
He explained that the deanery visits were intended to create an opportunity for direct interaction with Christians and encourage greater participation in the life and mission of the Church.
Reflecting on the theme of the pastoral visit, Bishop Wanok stressed that genuine communion and participation can only be achieved when Christ remains at the centre of Christian life through the Holy Eucharist.
“Walking together must not remain a slogan. It must become a reality in our families, our Small Christian Communities and our parishes through our union with Christ in the Holy Eucharist,” he said.
He warned that whenever individuals or communities lose sight of Christ, divisions, conflicts and unhealthy attitudes inevitably arise.
Using the example of a crop that dries up without rain, the Bishop explained that Christians who neglect the Eucharist gradually lose spiritual strength because the Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life.
A significant part of his catechesis focused on strengthening Christian families.
He appealed to couples living together to regularise their unions through the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, saying this enables them to live in full communion with the Church and receive the grace needed to build stable Christian homes.
The Bishop also expressed concern over cultural practices that unnecessarily delay Christian marriages, particularly prolonged negotiations over bride price.
He urged families and communities to avoid customs that prevent couples from celebrating Holy Matrimony, saying such practices weaken communion with the Church and place avoidable burdens on families.
Turning to the role of parents, Bishop Wanok challenged families to take greater responsibility for the spiritual formation of their children.
He urged parents to reflect on whether they are teaching their children to pray and helping them grow in the gifts of the Holy Spirit so they may become faithful disciples of Christ.
“The mission of Christ is to unite all people for the common good,” he said, adding that strong Christian families remain the foundation of a united Church.
Speaking on synodality, Bishop Wanok encouraged mutual respect and dialogue among priests, Parish Pastoral Councils and the lay faithful. He called on Christians to embrace shared responsibility in parish leadership while ensuring that Christ remains the guiding principle in every decision.
He reminded the congregation that participation in the Holy Eucharist strengthens believers, deepens their relationship with Christ and equips them for mission.
Concluding his remarks, the Bishop reminded the faithful of their vocation as witnesses of the Gospel.
“We are the signposts for Christ,” he said.
Bishop Wanok is expected to continue his catechesis by addressing the pillars of synodality, preparations for the Diocesan Day celebrations and the September Mission Appeal, an initiative aimed at supporting the formation of seminarians.
The ALOI Deanery meeting marked the final stop in the Bishop’s pastoral visits to deaneries across Lira Diocese. The programme will conclude with a meeting of all priests at Nazareth Family Centre, Barogole.
This is a developing story. More details will follow as the programme continues.
End
Recent Comments