Archbishop Odongo championed Centenary bank - Bwochi
“It is because of the great work that Archbishop Emeritus James Odongo did in forming Centenary Bank, in 1983, that we are now standing here before you."
CELEBRATING LIFE | ARCHBISHOP ODONGO
Great tributes have been paid to Monsignor James Odongo, the Archbishop Emeritus of Tororo Archdiocese who died on Friday (December 4, 2020) at the age of 89.
The Prelate's glorious praises were delivered during his requiem mass at Rubaga Cathedral on Sunday (December 6).
The evening mass of pontifical character was presided over by the Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference and Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana, the Rt. Rev. Prof Joseph Antony Zziwa.
The mass was also concelebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, His Excellency Archbishop Luigi Bianco, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kampala, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, the Archbishop of Tororo Emmanuel Obbo, the Bishop Emeritus of Lugazi, Mathias Ssekamaanya, the Secretary General of the Uganda Episcopal Conference Msgr John Baptist Kauta, and a number of clerics.
Among the people that dignified Odongo's episcopal ministry was Pope Francis, who sent a message of condolence to and also imparted his apostolic blessing as a "pledge of peace and consolation," to the Archbishop and all the Christians in Tororo Archdiocese and Uganda.
Pope Francis' message was delivered by the Nuncio, Archbishop Luigi Bianco, who also read the condolence message from the Vatican Congregation of the Evangelization of Peoples.
Tributes
Probably the most surprising tribute of Archbishop Odongo was the one delivered by the Chairman of the Board of Centenary Bank, Gustavo Bwochi, who attributed the bank's existence to the fallen prelate.
"It is because of the great work that Archbishop Emeritus James Odongo did in forming Centenary Bank, in 1983, that we are now standing here before you. Without his efforts, there would be no Centenary Bank. Mapeera House, the bank's headquarters would not be there."
Earlier during mass, Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, the homilist, also spoke highly of Odongo's spirited determination, goodwill and advocacy that led to the successful establishment of the bank.
Lwanga also praised Odongo for his dynamic participation and zealous implementation of Vatican Council II and its documents.
Others who eulogized Odongo included Emmanuel Cardinal Dr Wamala, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja (the Ugandan Apostolic Nuncio to Belgium), Archbishop Emmanuel Obbo, Bishop Joseph Antony Zziwa, and the Chairman of the laity of Tororo Archdiocese, Ssalongo Robert Kamiza.
President Yoweri Museveni also paid tribute to Archbishop Odongo for his distinctive service to the Church and the country.
The President's message was delivered by Hon Sarah Opendi, who also announced his sh20m donation.
Archbishop Odongo's brief fact file
The Most Rev Archbishop (Emeritus) James Odongo was born on March 27, 1931, to the late Gabriel Omunyin and Rosalia Nyachwo.
He attended Molo Primary School (1939-40), Tororo College Primary School (1941-43), Nyenga Seminary (1944-50), Ggaba Seminary (1951-1953), and Propaganda Fide University, Rome (1953-57).
He was ordained to the diaconate and later to the priesthood at Propaganda Fide College, Rome on September 29, 1966, and on December 22, 1956, respectively.
He subsequently served as a curate at Budadiri parish (1958), a teacher at Masaba Secondary School (1958-59), curate at Mulanda parish (1959-60), education secretary, and school inspector (1960-61), Education Secretary Mbale, Diocesan Education Secretary, Diocesan Secretary, Financial Secretary, Diocesan Consultor and Vicar-General of Tororo (1962-64).
He also served briefly as headteacher of Holy Angels College Madera before being appointed as the Auxiliary Bishop of Tororo on November 25, 1964. He was consecrated on February 16, 1965.
On August 19, 1968, he was appointed Bishop of Tororo. On January 2, 1999, Pope John Paul II appointed him as the first Metropolitan Archbishop of Tororo.
During his long priestly and episcopal ministry, Odongo served in various offices of great significance.
He was chairman of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa (AMECEA, 1973-79), Chairman of AMECEA Social Commission (1980-90), AMECEA representative to the Pan-African Committee for Social Communications (1981-90), Military Ordinary of Uganda (1985) and Chairman of the Education Commission of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (1965-72).
He also served as Chairman of the Ecumenical Commission of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (1966-80), Executive Member of the Board of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (1967-80), Vice-Chairman of Uganda Episcopal Conference (1972-79), Chairman of the National Commission for Seminaries (1980-82) and Chairman Social Services Commission of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (1982-1990).
As the prelate of Tororo, Odongo founded 14 parishes, 4 school chaplaincies, and several secondary and vocational/technical schools. He also founded St James Preparatory Seminary, social centres, communications centres, and charitable homes for orphans, children, youths, and people with special needs. He also served as Board member and chairman for various schools and institutions. He invited various congregations of the Catholic Religious to serve in the Archdiocese of Tororo.
Archbishop Odongo ordained and mentored many priests, some of whom became prelates.
They include the reigning Archbishop of Tororo, Emmanuel Obbo (Apostles of Jesus), Archbishop Emeritus (Tororo) Denis Kiwanuka Lote, Bishop Emeritus (Soroti) Erasmus Wandera, Bishop Charles Martin Wamika, Bishop Joseph Eciru Oliach of Soroti, and the late Bishop Joseph Oyanga.