Bishop Eciru installed

Soroti- Fr. Hilders primary school in Soroti town is the venue for the consecration and installation of the 3rd Bishop of Soroti dioceses Dr. Joseph Eciru Oliac, this Saturday.

Today, Archbishop Obbo, is the principal consecrator and the nuncio of Uganda Archbishop Luigi Bianco, is the co- consecrator.

"The appointment of Fr. Eciru as the third bishop and ordinary of our diocese is a great sign of growth of faith in our church," observed Archbishop Obbo.

Christians in their thousands are flocking to the ceremony where the vice President Edward Ssekandi will be representing President Yoweri Museveni.

Bishop Eciru's predecessors are Rt. Rev. Erasmus Wandera and Most Rev. Emmanuel Obbo. They all hailed from Tororo.

The incoming bishop will be the Shepard for about 1.6 million Catholics, who had spent five years in the hands of apostolic administrator Dr. Emmanuel Obbo, the Archbishop of Tororo Archdiocese.

"Your patience has paid you the people of Soroti dioceses. Today you are celebrating the goodness of God who choose for you one of your own as your Shepherd," recounted Archbishop Obbo on Wednesday.

Wednesday was no ordinary day in Teso sub-region. Traffic along Soroti - Mbale road came to a standstill as hundreds of Catholics received their bishop elect at Fika Salama Bridge that separates Teso and Bugisu region.

"His speech will not need to be translated as it has been with the past bishops. He will talk to us directly and we hope Christians to grow strong in faith," a happy Christine Atim, said.

Since his appointment, Bishop Eciru stepped on the soils of his mother motherland Teso on Wednesday at 10:35am, where he received a heroic welcome.

"Thank you my people for your love you have exhibited today as you receive me. I am happy to be home to work with you," Bishop-elect said amidst ululations for Christians.

Reverend priests, reverend sisters, political leaders from Teso received bishop-elect from Fika Salama and led him through various churches to greet and say a short prayer.

The walk lasted for ten hours to reach Immaculate Cathedral in Soroti town where Archbishop Obbo, was waiting for him.

Who is bishop Eciru?
Born on 11th August 1970 to John Francis Oliach and Anna Maria Aguti (both deceased), Bishop Eciru is the last born in the family of eight children born in Olelai village in Gweri sub-county Soroti diocese.

He went to St-Aloysius Primary School Ngora for his primary education, St-Peters minor seminary Madera of his O level, St. Pius X seminary Nagongera for his A'level.

He thereafter joined Katigondo National Major Seminary in Masaka for Theological studies and St. Paul's major seminary Kinyamasika in Fort Portal for Theological studies.

Later on, he pursued post-graduate studies leading to a Licentiate in Scared Scripture (2009) and a Doctorate in Biblical Theology at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome (2012).
 
He was ordained priest on 9th August 2003, at the time the rebels of Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) incursion in Teso.

At the time of his appointment, he was lecturing in St-Mary's National Major Seminary Ggaba. He was also a chaplain to the Catholic communities working and living in Kampala and neighboring towns coordinated under their umbrella association called Soroti Catholic Laity Association (SCALA).