KATAKWI: The Rt. Rev. Joseph Eciru Oliach, the Bishop of the Soroti Catholic Diocese, has joined thousands of Christians at the consecration of St. Peter Canisius Church, Agule Omiinya, in Toroma Catholic Parish, Katakwi District.
“Dear friends, rejoice that God so moved the hearts of people that this house has been built for praise and prayer. Let us now consecrate it for service and celebrate its holy use,” Bishop Eciru said to the applause of the cheerful congregation.
He added, “By the power of your Holy Spirit, consecrate this house of your worship. Bless us and sanctify what we do here, that this place may be holy for us and a house of prayer for all people.”
The bishop, who was joined by the vice president and woman MP for Katakwi district, Maj. (Rtd), prayed to God for guidance and empowerment in this new church by the same Spirit for the proclamation of His Word and the celebration of His Sacraments.
The prelate also prayed for the outpouring of prayer and the singing of God’s praise, professions of faith and testimonies to His grace, the joining of men and women in marriage, and finally the celebration of death and resurrection.
He further asked the Lord that when His Word is read and preached from this new pulpit, may He purify the lives and lips of those who speak here.
“May your Word alone be proclaimed and your Word alone be heard and obeyed in this place of praise and worship,” Bishop Eciru said during Mass dedicated towards the consecration of the new church.
Eciru congratulated the Christians upon this achievement and subsequently appointed Fr. Frederick Obore, assisted by Fr. Edmund Okella, to take care of the church. The consecration also saw six couples take their wedding vows.
In her congratulatory message to fellow Christians, the vice president, Alupo, assured the faithful that the government will continue to stick to its vision of maintaining peace and security such that Ugandans can continue to enjoy their freedoms, including freedom of worship.
On behalf of fellow Christians, Alupo thanked the bishop for coming to consecrate the church despite his busy working schedule.
Cheap credit: She underscored the critical significance of embracing government programs to access cheap credit.
“Christians of St. Peter Canisius should embrace the parish development model, Emyooga, youth livelihood programs, Grow loans, and all opportunities so that we can get out of poverty,” she said.
On infrastructure: she assured the people that the government will continue to deliver on the road infrastructure, adding that the road from Toroma-Agule will be worked on and money has been set aside for the construction works.
On Human Resource Development. Alupo told parents that it is key to take all our children to school, arguing that the government will continue to construct schools and also provide teachers.
In a significant development, Alupo revealed that the Katakwi general hospital will be renovated and new installations will occur, including construction of a new theatre in Katakwi District, serving the entire region.
The hospital will feature an accident and emergency unit, X-ray and imaging facilities, and modern doctors’ accommodations.
The vice president appealed to youth to emulate their elders and pick testimonies in order for them to live longer.
Alupo further urged parents to raise their children to become successful, responsible citizens, emphasising their crucial role in building a better country.
Alupo asked the people of Toroma County to take her as their own because she was born in St. Pancras, where her mother was first posted as a midwife, while her father was a primary teacher.
Area MP Joseph Koluo appreciated the bishop for pastoral good work and urged Christians to emulate the good works of Bishop Eciru. He further thanked the VP for coming to commission the church.
He asked the district council to prioritise the construction of the Toroma-Agule road when the road fund is realised.
LC5 Chairperson Geoffrey Omolo thanked the bishop for finding time to bless the newly constructed church.
She assured the people that the Toroma-Agule road is going to be worked on by the Ministry of Water and by the Local Economic Growth Support [LEGS] project, a program designed by the government to improve the lives of more than one million farmers in rural areas.
