Bishop Wanok Ordains 11 Priests, 8 Deacons in Lira, Calls for Unity in Ministry
Addressing the newly ordained priests and deacons, Bishop Wanok reminded them that they had been chosen by God to proclaim the Gospel and shepherd His people.
Regina Lalam
BY ISAAC ERICK ODONGO
LIRA, Uganda – August 6, 2026: The Bishop of Lira Diocese, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok, has challenged newly ordained Catholic clergy to dedicate themselves to serving all people equally, regardless of their religion, tribe, political affiliation, social status or background. The Bishop made the remarks during the ordination of 11 deacons to the priesthood and eight seminarians to the diaconate at Lira Cathedral on Thursday, describing priesthood as a sacred vocation that demands humility, compassion, integrity and unwavering commitment to God's people. Addressing the newly ordained priests and deacons, Bishop Wanok reminded them that they had been chosen by God to proclaim the Gospel and shepherd His people.
He urged them to carry out their pastoral ministry with love, mercy and justice, ensuring that every person they encounter experiences God's compassion without discrimination. He said the mission of the Church transcends religious, ethnic and political boundaries, calling on the clergy to become instruments of reconciliation, unity and hope in communities facing social and economic challenges. The Bishop further emphasized that the effectiveness of priestly ministry depends on complete reliance on God's guidance. He encouraged the newly ordained clergy to remain prayerful and seek the wisdom and strength of the Holy Spirit in fulfilling their vocation.
According to Bishop Wanok, authentic Christian ministry is demonstrated not only through preaching and administering the sacraments but also by reaching out to those living on the margins of society.
He urged the priests and deacons to extend pastoral care to prisoners, the poor, the sick, widows, orphans and all those in need of spiritual and material support so that they may experience God's love and become active members of His Kingdom.
Representing the Lango Cultural Institution, the institution's paramount chief, Eng. Dr. Moses Michael Odongo Okune, appealed to the newly ordained clergy to strengthen collaboration with cultural leaders in promoting peace, moral values and social harmony within the Lango sub-region. He observed that the Church and cultural institutions share a common responsibility of nurturing disciplined, united and morally upright communities. Okune commended Bishop Wanok for maintaining a cordial working relationship between the Catholic Church and the Lango Cultural Institution, noting that the partnership has contributed significantly to peaceful coexistence and community development. Meanwhile the Minister of disaster preparedness and Member of Parliament for Erute South, Sam Engola also praised the Catholic Church for complementing government efforts in improving the welfare of Ugandans through education, healthcare, moral formation and community development.
Engola encouraged the newly ordained priests and deacons to actively mobilize communities to embrace government development programmes, including EMYOOGA, the Parish Development Model (PDM), commercial agriculture, environmental conservation and other poverty alleviation initiatives aimed at transforming household incomes across the Lango sub-region. He noted that religious leaders remain influential voices in society and can play a vital role in mobilizing communities to participate in programmes that improve livelihoods while promoting peace and responsible citizenship. The colourful ordination ceremony attracted hundreds of faithful, religious leaders, government officials, cultural leaders and invited guests from different parts of Uganda, including Arua and Nebbi, as well as pilgrims from neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania, reflecting the significance of the occasion within the Catholic Church.
The ordination marks another milestone for Lira Diocese as it continues to strengthen its pastoral mission. With the addition of the 11 newly ordained priests, the diocese now has a total of 90 priests, a development expected to enhance evangelisation, expand pastoral outreach and improve the delivery of spiritual services across the diocese.
The newly ordained deacons will continue their formation and ministry as they prepare for eventual ordination to the priesthood, while the new priests begin serving in various parishes and Church institutions within and beyond Lira Diocese
