Papal envoy lauds clergy on LRA war
THE Pope’s representative, Archbishop Christopher Pierre, has hailed religious leaders in northern Uganda for their efforts to end the rebellion in the region
By Steven Candia
THE Pope’s representative, Archbishop Christopher Pierre, has hailed religious leaders in northern Uganda for their efforts to end the rebellion in the region.
The apostolic nuncio particularly singled out Archbishop John Baptist Odama of Gulu Archdiocese, whom he extolled for exceptional courage and tireless efforts in ending the northern conflict. He also prayed for love and peace.
“Where there is war, it is not easy. I have been in northern Uganda and with all those guns, I have wondered at the courage of Archbishop Odama and the bishops under him,†Pierre said at the 26th anniversary of the election of Pope John Paul II.
“I want to pay him homage this day, for his remarkable contribution towards bringing peace to the region,†he added, at the function held on Thursday at his residence in Mbuya, a city suburb.
Odama, the chairperson of the Acholi Religious Leaders’ Peace initiative, has been instrumental in spearheading negotiations for peace between the government and the Lord’s Resistance Army
(LRA) rebel leader, Joseph Kony.
The Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, spoke highly of the Pope, whom he described as a man of “incredible devotion to the common good.â€
He hailed religious leaders for their efforts in trying to find a lasting solution to the northern insurgency and specifically lauded Pierre, whom he said, made daring trips to the war-torn areas in search of peace.
Bukenya praised the Catholic Church for its contribution to national development.
Pierre said it was his cardinal wish that peace and love prevailed in the country, even in those areas that have not achieved it, pointing out that the purpose of life was love.
“I want to thank you for your work in this country,†Bukenya told the envoy.
The Archbishop of Kampala, Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala and the Third deputy prime Minister, Henry Kajura, attended.
Also present at the function were members of the diplomatic corps.
THE Pope’s representative, Archbishop Christopher Pierre, has hailed religious leaders in northern Uganda for their efforts to end the rebellion in the region.
The apostolic nuncio particularly singled out Archbishop John Baptist Odama of Gulu Archdiocese, whom he extolled for exceptional courage and tireless efforts in ending the northern conflict. He also prayed for love and peace.
“Where there is war, it is not easy. I have been in northern Uganda and with all those guns, I have wondered at the courage of Archbishop Odama and the bishops under him,†Pierre said at the 26th anniversary of the election of Pope John Paul II.
“I want to pay him homage this day, for his remarkable contribution towards bringing peace to the region,†he added, at the function held on Thursday at his residence in Mbuya, a city suburb.
Odama, the chairperson of the Acholi Religious Leaders’ Peace initiative, has been instrumental in spearheading negotiations for peace between the government and the Lord’s Resistance Army
(LRA) rebel leader, Joseph Kony.
The Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, spoke highly of the Pope, whom he described as a man of “incredible devotion to the common good.â€
He hailed religious leaders for their efforts in trying to find a lasting solution to the northern insurgency and specifically lauded Pierre, whom he said, made daring trips to the war-torn areas in search of peace.
Bukenya praised the Catholic Church for its contribution to national development.
Pierre said it was his cardinal wish that peace and love prevailed in the country, even in those areas that have not achieved it, pointing out that the purpose of life was love.
“I want to thank you for your work in this country,†Bukenya told the envoy.
The Archbishop of Kampala, Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala and the Third deputy prime Minister, Henry Kajura, attended.
Also present at the function were members of the diplomatic corps.