By Alexander Okori and Joseph Logola
The Bishop of Kotido Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dominic Eibu Lokut has appointed Rev. Fr. Patrick Mulumba of Kalapata Parish to replace Rev. Fr. Hillary Ezekweme of Karenga Parish as new diocesan Chaplain of ecclesial movement in the Diocese, with a call on priests to have a heart of sacrifice and patience while serving Christians amidst the challenges they go through.
Fr. Hillary Ezekweme will be leaving the diocese of Kotido to his home Diocese in Nigeria after serving in Karamoja for seven years.
While bidding farewell to the Christians during the Chrism Mass at the Good Shepherd Cathedral on Wednesday, Rev. Fr. Ezekweme said that Kotido Diocese has been a preparatory ground for the tasks back at his home diocese.
Bishop Eibu also appointed Rev. Sister Esther Akamunsimira of Christ the King Parish in Losilang as the director of Losilang pastoral center replacing Magdalena Longok.
Rev. Sister Akamunsimira while speaking to our reporter said her appointment is by God’s Grace.
During Chrism Mass, attended by hundreds of Christians, including reverend sisters, the bishop blessed the oil for the sick, catechumens, and Sacred Chrism used for various sacraments in the Church throughout the year.
Oil for sick is used for sick people, Catechumen Oil is used for baptism, and Sacred Chrism Oil used in sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation where the candidate is anointed on the forehead.
It is also used in the Sacrament of Holy Orders where a priest’s hands are anointed and for the bishop, he is anointed in head. This sacred chrism imprints an indelible mark, a sign of ownership by Christ.
The Chrism Mass saw 24 priests renew their vows of service before the Christian as a manifestation of the priests’ communion with their Bishop as well as signifying the unity and union of the church of Christ.
In his homely during Chrism Mass the bishop asked priests to have a heart of sacrifice and patience while serving Christians amidst the challenges they go through.
He used the example of Moses leading the people of Israel to emphasize the importance of sacrifice and patience in the life of priests as they provide leadership, pastoral care and guidance to the people of God.
The bishop noted that every priest is chosen from the community and appointed by God to act on behalf of people in relation to God to offer gifts and sacrifices for his own as well as for the community.
He reminded the priests and the faithful that there are times of joy but also times of sorrow, for there is no Easter Sunday without Good Friday.
“We should acknowledge our weaknesses and offer themselves to Christ in the Holy Sacrament of Eucharist as well as working closely with his people in leading all souls to salvation”, the bishop urged them.
He highlighted the Priest’s role of preaching as an opportunity for promoting hope.
The bishop said, “by your preaching, which is not merely condemnatory, you bring hope to so many people living in despair and on the verge of losing it all, so that they may find meaning in life, but above all, they may lift their eyes to God.”
Meanwhile Rev. Fr. Eibu also challenged the Christian community to help priests morally and materially to concentrate on preaching the Gospel of Christ.
He discouraged Christians from asking money from the priests, but support them to avoid them from begging and asked them to be grateful for their priests.
The bishop said Christians should accord respect to the priests and support their spiritual mission by helping them maintain their sacred commitment in God.
Priests are human too, and face challenges in their spiritual journey, it’s the responsibility of the Christian community to offer support to in time of need”.
Rev. Fr. Samuel Lotuk of Christ the King Losilang parish and Rev. Fr. Charles Adei, the parish priest Kaabong parish described Chrism Mass celebrations as a landmark in their lives as priests.
“When he was ordained as a priest, he was so inspired and full of the Holy Spirit, now such a day is a day when he remembers what happened during ordination. Its also a day when we come together with our bishop to renew our commitment that we are ready to continue what we have chosen to do” said Rev. Fr. Lotuk.
Rev. Fr. Adei said that Chrism Mass is a day when priests remember Jesus instituted the sacrament of priesthood and a sacrament of Holy Order.
