By Flavia Oyuu, Communications Office, Lira Diocese
The Bishop of Lira Diocese, Rt. Rev Sanctus Lino Wanok, has blessed a chapel for the Franciscans in Bar Ogole, Lira City West, describing the presence of the contemplative sisters in the Diocese as “a sign that the Lord is still calling, and still building up His Church.”
The chapel was blessed on Thursday, 21 May 2026, during a Eucharistic celebration attended by priests, religious sisters from different congregations, seminarians, and members of the lay faithful. Also, present was Bishop Emeritus Rt Rev Joseph Franzelli.
In his homily, Bishop Wanok emphasized the hidden yet powerful mission of the Poor Clares, noting that their vocation is rooted in prayer, silence, sacrifice, adoration, and joyful poverty.
“The Poor Clares do not seek visibility, applause, or power,” the Bishop said. “They choose a hidden life so that Christ may be more clearly visible.”
Reflecting on the readings of the day, Bishop Wanok compared the mission of the sisters to that of St. Paul, who remained firm in faith amid opposition and suffering. He explained that although contemplative communities may appear hidden from the world, their spiritual contribution to the Church is immense.
“Their life says to the Church: do not lose hope. We are behind you. The Lord is enough. March on,” he said.
The Bishop described the contemplative vocation as a witness of hope in a world marked by noise, greed, division, and restlessness. He noted that while the world may see silence and renunciation, God sees praise, worship, freedom, and fruitfulness.
Addressing two young women beginning their postulancy journey with the congregation, Bishop Wanok encouraged them to embrace the charism of Saint Clare of Assisi through poverty, contemplation, Eucharistic devotion, simplicity, fraternity, and trust in divine providence.
“In a noisy world, Clare chooses silence for the sake of prayer. In a greedy world, you choose poverty for the sake of freedom. In a divided world, you choose communion for the sake of peace,” he said.
The Bishop also highlighted the importance of contemplative communities in sustaining the mission of the Church through constant prayer for bishops, priests, families, the sick, vocations, and society.
“They stand before the tabernacle so that missionaries may have strength, families may persevere in peace, priests may be holy, and the Diocese may grow in faith and charity,” he said.
Bishop Wanok further praised the commitment and sacrifice of the sisters, revealing that despite arriving in the Diocese only about three months ago, they had already begun establishing themselves with remarkable determination.
“We looked and there was no place to put them,” he recalled. “Then all of a sudden they arrived and said, ‘Any place, we shall enter and begin our duty. We do not need comfort.’”
He commended the sisters for sustaining themselves through their own work and sacrifices as they continue introducing the charism of the Poor Clares to the people of Lira Diocese.
The Bishop described the newly blessed chapel as “a house of prayer and a school of silence,” urging the faithful to rediscover reverence for the presence of Christ in the Eucharist amid the distractions of modern life.
“For us bishops, this celebration reminds us that Episcopal ministry needs a lot of prayer,” he said. “The burden is heavy, but no bishop works alone.”
Speaking during the vote of thanks, Mother Superior Hellen Ngami Muthembwa expressed gratitude to Bishop Wanok for supporting the sisters and accompanying them in their journey of discernment in the Diocese.
“Your generosity, thoughtfulness, and almsgiving have truly made a difference in our life as contemplative nuns,” she said. “Your willingness to walk alongside us on this journey of discernment means a lot to us more than words can express.”
Mother Hellen praised the Bishop’s commitment to peace and pastoral service, describing him as a shepherd who preaches “with actions more than words.”
“You have showed us true peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding,” she said.
Addressing the new postulants, she urged them to remain humble, patient, prayerful, and faithful to the Franciscan charism they had embraced.
“As Franciscans, we are instruments of peace,” she said, invoking the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.”
The arrival of the Poor Clares in Lira City marks a significant step in the growth of contemplative religious life within the Diocese, where many faithful are still learning about the mission and spirituality of the order.
Bishop Wanok concluded by praying that the sisters’ hidden life of prayer would strengthen unity within the Church and become a source of grace for the Diocese and beyond.
“May your joy be your witness, your poverty be your freedom, and your silence be your song of praise before the Lord,” he said.
End
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