Gov''t urged to support church institutions to encourage vocations

By Joseph Ekol

Government has been urged to intervene and support various church institutions with whatever they need in order to encourage vocations.

The call was made on Saturday by the Kole area member of parliament also the coordinator for Lira diocese catholic MPs forum, Fred Ebil.

Fr. John Bosco Oryema recieves the Holy Spirit to become a priest during the ordination.  PHOTOS/ Joseph Ekol                           

He said the little resources that the church gets from Rome are not enough and the population of Christians is also increasing.

“If government bans taxes on church institutions like schools, dispensaries, they would save the little they have to support vocations”, said Ebil.

Ebil who is also a former seminarian was speaking during the priestly ordination of Fr. John Bosco Oryema at a function that took place at St. Paul catholic mission Aboke, in Aboke Sub county, Kole district that was attended by hundreds of Christians including other dignitaries.

Arak Ocola clan members cArry their son, Fr John Bosco Oryema as they present him to the Bishop Joseph Franzeli for priestly ordination in Aboke on Saturday.                              

Other dignitaries who attended the function are Kole district woman Member of Parliament Ruth Acheng, district officials from Lango and Acholi among others.

Deacon John Bosco Oryema of Aboke Catholic parish joined the priesthood community as the fourth ordained priest in the ongoing ordination program for Lira catholic diocese this year 2014.

The Bishop of Lira diocese, Joseph Franzeli who was the chief guest at the function advised the newly ordained priest to work willingly upon his call by preaching what he believes as a servant of God and practicing what he preaches such that Christians are encourage.

 “As a servant of Jesus Christ, I give you the power; go and preach the gospel of the Lord, preach whatever you believe willingly and practice them as Christians will follow you”, said Bishop Franzeli during the ordination in Aboke on Saturday.

Joseph Olet Magezi, the clan chief of Atrak Ocola (Fr.Oryema’s) also a renowned tycoon in Lira expressed joy saying the clan has sacrificed the son Oryema to serve the lord without marriage until he dies.

One other deacon, Deogratious Odwee of Amolatar catholic parish is yet to be ordained a priest in the next one week according to the diocesan statement.