By Flavia Oyuu, Communications Office, Lira Diocese
Lira Diocese on Thursday celebrated one of the largest ordinations in its history as Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok ordained 11 priests and eight deacons, calling on them to embrace lives of holiness and selfless service by taking Christ to the poor, the sick, the broken-hearted and those on the margins of society.
The solemn Eucharistic celebration, held on the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord at Uganda Martyrs Cathedral Grounds, attracted thousands of faithful who packed the ordination grounds. The Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Emeritus Joseph Franzelli, dozens of priests from Lira Diocese and other dioceses in Uganda and Kenya, religious sisters and brothers, government officials, traditional leaders, families of the ordinands and Christians from across the diocese.
The 11 newly ordained priests are Rev. Fr. Ambrose Oroma of Iceme Catholic Parish, Rev. Fr. Dicken Opoo of Otwal Parish, Rev. Fr. Samson Odongo of Lira Cathedral Parish, Rev. Fr. Ambrose Adupa of Aber Parish, Rev. Fr. Jimmy Dila of Aboke Parish, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okello of Anyeke Parish, Rev. Fr. Isaac Opio of Te-Boke Parish, Rev. Fr. Caesar Opio of Lira Cathedral Parish, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Ojok of Anyeke Parish, Rev. Fr. David Onyango of Omoro Parish and Rev. Fr. Brian Obong of Agweng Parish.
The newly ordained deacons are Caesar Ajuk of Dokolo Parish, Joseph Etot of St. Jude Parish, Steven Ocen of Alanyi Parish, Christopher Ogwal of Dokolo Parish, Caesar Tyan of Amolatar Parish, Morris Ogwang of Te-Boke Parish, Denis Hamson Obua of Ober Parish and Fredik Onyango of Aber Parish.
The ordination marked the highest number of priests ordained at one time in the history of Lira Diocese. It also celebrated a significant milestone with the ordination of Rev. Fr. Ambrose Oroma into the Congregation of the Apostles of Jesus (AJ), the first priest from the congregation to be ordained in the diocese in about 20 years.
The celebration was filled with emotion as some of the deacons shed tears after responding, “Here I am,” when their names were called by the Bishop before being presented by their parish priests. Parents and guardians proudly handed over their sons to the Bishop, symbolizing their offering to the service of God and the Church.
The liturgy featured the traditional rites of priestly ordination, including the Litany of Saints during which the priesthood candidates lay prostrate before the altar in total surrender to God, followed by the laying on of hands and the Prayer of Ordination. The choir from Aber Deanery animated the celebration with hymns throughout the Mass.
Drawing his homily from the Feast of the Transfiguration, Bishop Wanok reminded the newly ordained ministers that the glory experienced on the mountain was only a preparation for the mission awaiting them among God’s people.
“Today you ascend the mountain not to remain here but to descend into the villages, the schools, the hospitals, the prisons, the parishes and families where Christ waits to be served,” the Bishop said.
He explained that just as Jesus led His disciples down from Mount Tabor after revealing His glory, priests and deacons are called to leave moments of celebration and dedicate themselves to serving people in their daily struggles.
The Bishop urged the newly ordained clergy to make holiness their first priority, saying the Church needs ministers rooted in prayer more than activity.
“People do not first need very busy priests or ministers. They need holy priests and ministers who are available,” he said.
He encouraged them to remain faithful to prayer, the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, warning that ministry without prayer easily becomes mere performance.
“Never allow administration to replace adoration,” he cautioned. “Spend time before the Blessed Sacrament because it is there that you receive the strength to nourish God’s people spiritually.”
Bishop Wanok further challenged the priests and deacons to become faithful servants of the Gospel, resisting the temptation to preach personal opinions or seek popularity.
“Our people are surrounded by many voices—politics, social media, tribal divisions and false promises. They need to hear the voice of Christ from you,” he said.
Quoting the rite of ordination, he reminded them: “Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.”
Speaking about their pastoral mission, the Bishop said their priesthood would be lived not in comfort but among ordinary people facing life’s hardships.
He told them they would encounter broken marriages, abandoned children, struggling youth, families burdened by poverty, elderly people who have been forgotten, prisoners, the sick and the dying.
“Go to them. Walk with them. Listen before speaking. Heal them before judging. Welcome them before condemning them,” he said.
The Bishop reminded the new priests that from the day of ordination they become spiritual fathers to God’s people.
“People will call you Father. This title is not an honour but a responsibility. They are asking you to help them know God,” he said.
Addressing the families of the newly ordained clergy, Bishop Wanok thanked parents and relatives for nurturing vocations within their homes through prayer and sacrifice.
“You have presented these sons to the Church. Continue praying for them. They now belong to a larger family—the family of Lira Diocese,” he said.
He concluded by reminding the ordinands that priesthood is a lifelong mission of sacrifice rather than prestige.
“Today these men do not receive crowns; they receive crosses. They are not coming for comfort but for mission,” the Bishop said, encouraging them to remain faithful to Christ throughout their ministry.
The Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees and Erute South Member of Parliament, Hon. Sam Engola, who was the chief guest, congratulated the newly ordained clergy for responding to God’s call and urged them to remain humble servants of the people.
“As you begin your ministry, preach the Word of God, guide the faithful to God’s mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and proclaim the Gospel with truth and passion,” he said.
Quoting Matthew 20:28, Hon. Engola reminded them that Christ “did not come to be served but to serve,” urging them to remain close to the poor and serve God’s people with love and sacrifice.
The Paramount Chief of Lango, His Highness Eng. Dr. Michael Odongo Okune, called on the people of Lango to protect the environment through tree planting to replace trees lost to deforestation.
He also encouraged households to improve sanitation by constructing and using latrines, expressing concern over continued open defecation in some communities. He further urged political leaders to remain accessible to the people they serve and to listen attentively to the concerns of their constituents.
The celebration concluded with thanksgiving, blessings and joyful celebrations as families, friends and Christians congratulated the newly ordained priests and deacons on the beginning of their sacred ministry in the Church.
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