Tributes paid to late Lira priest Rev. Fr Ponsiano Okalo

________________

The Catholic community of Lango in Uganda's north is mourning the death of Rev. Fr Ponsiano Okalo, who died Friday evening.

His death was announced by the chancellor of Lira Catholic diocese, Fr Emmanuel Opio, on behalf of Bishop Sanctus Lino Wanok.

The communication said Okalo died at 11:30pm on Friday evening after a short period of illness at Aber Hospital.

Okalo was also a lecturer at Lira University and a curate of Ober Catholic Parish in Lira city. He was ordained a priest in 2001 in Kole district.

Anna Odongo Lumumba, the women desk coordinator of Lira diocese, said Okalo’s death is a huge loss to the region.

She described him as a respectful, peaceful, intelligent, humble, lovely and dedicated priest who served and ensured unity among the priests in the diocese.

Rev. Sr Nicholine Atyang of Aloi Catholic parish said Okalo was a gifted priest and a good therapist who counseled many people.

“I knew him long ago when he was still a seminarian. I was working in Aber Hospital when he would come to me complaining of the pain inflicted on him by the LRA [Lord's Resistance Army] when they abducted him from Aboke Seminary," Atyang said.

"He was a very calm person, a joyful person who I believe God gave him to Lira diocese for a purpose."

Rev. Fr Douglas Owera, the parish priest of Alanyi parish in Alebtong district, said Okalo’s death has left a deep gap in not only the priest community but the entire family of Lira diocese.

Owera said the last priest served with humility, mentored many and ensured career development among the priests.

“It is unbelievable that we have Fr Ponsiano no more. He was a very honest priest who loved his job and motivated many seminarians to embrace the priesthood calling when he was the Vocations Director. As a vicar for the clergy, he was a good advisor to the priesthood community members,” said Owera.

According to the communication from the diocese, Okalo will be laid to rest on Thursday (July 31).

His send-off journey will begin on Tuesday (July 29). The body will be transferred from the Aber Hospital mortuary to St Peter Clever Parish, Ober in Lira City West for a Requiem Mass and a night vigil.

It will be taken to Uganda Martyrs Cathedral, Lira, on Wednesday for a Requiem Mass and a night vigil for the Lira city community.

On Thursday, the burial ceremony will begin with a Requiem Mass that will be led by Bishop Wanok of Lira at the priests’ cemetery in Barogole, in Lira City West Division.

Okalo will then be laid to rest.