RELIGION | CATHOLICS | REFUGEES

ARUA - Arua Catholic Diocese has created a new vicariate called “refugees vicariate” and appointed Monsignor Elizeo Ovure as head of evangelization.

Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki of Arua Catholic diocese says the vicariate is intended to provide spiritual nourishment to migrants and refugees settled in various places in the diocese.

Bishop Odoki says they have received different missionary groups with a call to promote evangelism for the refugees in different parts of West Nile.

He identifies the missionary groups as Servants of the Word of God in Bidibidi settlement, Kabrili Sisters helping in Dzaipi in Adjumani, White Fathers and Sisters, Comboni Missionaries, Jesuit Missionary Group and Scalabrini Fathers among others who are giving hope to the refugees.

Odoki urged the local clergy to join this ministry in order to give hope to the refugees, saying the biggest challenge is the issue of inadequate personnel to address the spiritual needs of the refugees in the various settlements in West Nile.

The creation of the refugee’s vicariate now brings to four the number of vicariates in Arua diocese with a population of over two million Catholics.

Other vicariates are Ediofe, Lodonga, and Moyo.

An apostolic vicariate is a territorial jurisdiction of the Catholic Church under a titular bishop where dioceses or parishes have not yet been established.

The hope is that the region will generate sufficient numbers of Catholics.