Archbishop Odama urges newly-weds Norbert Mao, Beatrice to be holy

The archbishop emeritus of Gulu Archdiocese, John Baptist Odama, has asked justice minister Norbert Mao and wife Beatrice to be holy in their marriage.

Odama made the appeal while delivering a sermon during the marriage ceremony of the couple at Saint Joseph Cathedral parish in ForGod Ward, Negri cell in Bardege Layibi division in Gulu City on June 1, 2024.

He said the world is corrupt because people and leaders are never holy.

“You, Norbert and you wife you should be holy to set an example to the rest of the ministers, and in my retirement as the archbishop, I am very grateful that I have wedded a minister of your rank. Therefore, I urge ministers and other leaders like those in the army and the Police to follow the footsteps of Norbert who has accepted this sacrament of holy marriage,” Odama said.

This is the second marriage of both Mao and Beatrice.

He urged Mao to remain in intimacy with God in order to be holy.

The archbishop thanked the parents of Norbert and Beatrice for raising them as God-fearing children and that the community should in the same way teach children proper ways of life for them to be God’s servants and to enter holy marriage.

Odama urged the guests to emulate how Mary Mother of Jesus and Joseph, her husband, loved themselves.

He cautioned children to love their parents and be supportive to them, noting that many parents have been abandoned by their children without looking after them.

“I must tell you that without the family, there will be no archbishop, priests and religion so you, the parents, perform great role in building the church and your marriage as key and above all be close to the church," he added.