Pope names Fr. Eciru new bishop for Soroti

Mar 19, 2019

The apostolic administrator of the diocese Dr. Emmanuel Obbo revealed the news of the appointment of Fr. Eciru by Pope Francis to Christians during the Lunch hour fellowship at Immaculate Conception.

RELIGION

SOROTI- After five years and three months of waiting for a new bishop, Soroti Catholic Diocese Christians are in celebratory mood following the appointment of the Rev. Fr. Dr. Joseph Oliach Eciru as the new bishop.

The apostolic administrator of the diocese Dr. Emmanuel Obbo revealed the news of the appointment of Fr. Eciru by Pope Francis to Christians during the lunch hour fellowship at Immaculate Conception.

"I announce to you the new bishop elect Rev. Fr. Dr. Joseph Oliac Eciru," Dr. Obbo read amidst ululations from Christians and the Priests who attended the prayers.

Since January 2014, when the Pope elevated Obbo as the Archbishop of Tororo Archdiocese, Soroti dioceses have had no bishop.

Fr. Eciru is the first Catholic Bishop of Teso origin to work in his native Soroti Catholic Diocese. The first being Bishop Erasmas Wandera who was succeeded by Dr. Obbo

At 49 years of age, Fr. Eciru, is also the pioneer priest to be elected bishop.

 "I feel proud because one of my own has been appointed a bishop and I believe Christians will receive this news with happiness," Dr. Obbo told New Vision after the prayers.

He explained that the bishop elect will be installed in three months time and that will relive him from being a caretaker.

The appointment of Fr. Eciru comes a month after the Anglican diocese also got their new bishop Hosea Odongo.

Who is Fr. Eciru.

He is the last born in a family of eight in Ookai village, Dokolo parish, Gweri sub-county in Soroti district. His deceased parents are John Francis Oliac and Ann Maria Aguti.

He was born on  August 11, 1970. He went to Gweri Primary School,  St. Aloysius Dem Primary School Ngora, St. Peter's Seminary Madera, Soroti for O level and A level at St. Pius X Seminary Nagongera, Tororo.

He was priestly ordained on  August 9, 2003  at St. Patrick's Catholic Parish, Madera.

Formator and Teacher of Latin in St. Peter's Seminary Madera.

Formator and Lecturer of Sacred Scripture at St. Paul's National Seminary Kinyamasika, Fort-Portal.

Formator and Lecturer of Sacred Scripture at St. Mary's National Seminary Ggaba, Kampala (presently).

Went  for priestly studies at Licentiate in Sacred Scripture at the Biblicum, Rome.

Has a doctorate in Biblical Theology in Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});