Bishop Odama tips Ugandans on reconciliation
Sep 26, 2011
The Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese, John Baptist Odama, has urged Ugandans to emulate Jesus Christ and forgive those who have wronged them.
BY WOKORACH OBOI
The Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese, John Baptist Odama, has urged Ugandans to emulate Jesus Christ and forgive those who have wronged them.
“Anger, hatred, revenge and fighting do not reflect Jesus’ image,†he preached. Odama was presiding over a memorial service for 13 civilians from Oryang Ojuma, Kitgum who were killed by the National Resistance Army (NRA) soldiers on September 20, 1986.
NRA, the then national army, reportedly stormed the village on the fateful day, rounded up civilians, tied them with ropes and shot them.
A monument in memory of the slain civilians now stands at the spot. One of the affected families has donated land for the construction of a proposed St. Joseph’s Chapel in remembrance of the victims.
Odama, also the chairman of the Episcopal Conference, urged believers to forgive the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
“ Forgiving such acts is difficult but mercy sits at the throne of God and shares in his dealings,†he said.
Ben Oyet Pido, a son to Modesto Pido who together with six other family members died in the incident, said he had forgiven the NRA soldiers.
“We have forgiven them and we also ask God to pardon them,†Pido said.
However, his younger brother, Charles Ongaya Pido, said a petition asking for reparations over the killings was given to President Yoweri Museveni in 1987 when he visited the district and he reportedly pledged support, but that up to now nothing has come out of it. Ends
The Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese, John Baptist Odama, has urged Ugandans to emulate Jesus Christ and forgive those who have wronged them.
“Anger, hatred, revenge and fighting do not reflect Jesus’ image,†he preached. Odama was presiding over a memorial service for 13 civilians from Oryang Ojuma, Kitgum who were killed by the National Resistance Army (NRA) soldiers on September 20, 1986.
NRA, the then national army, reportedly stormed the village on the fateful day, rounded up civilians, tied them with ropes and shot them.
A monument in memory of the slain civilians now stands at the spot. One of the affected families has donated land for the construction of a proposed St. Joseph’s Chapel in remembrance of the victims.
Odama, also the chairman of the Episcopal Conference, urged believers to forgive the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
“ Forgiving such acts is difficult but mercy sits at the throne of God and shares in his dealings,†he said.
Ben Oyet Pido, a son to Modesto Pido who together with six other family members died in the incident, said he had forgiven the NRA soldiers.
“We have forgiven them and we also ask God to pardon them,†Pido said.
However, his younger brother, Charles Ongaya Pido, said a petition asking for reparations over the killings was given to President Yoweri Museveni in 1987 when he visited the district and he reportedly pledged support, but that up to now nothing has come out of it. Ends