Gulu, (UG):- The Catholic Archdiocese of Gulu has rolled out a fundraising drive for a total of 108.3 million shillings to facilitate the installation ceremony of the new metropolitan Archbishop of Gulu, the Most Rev. Raphael P’Mony Wokorach.
Rev Wokorach, 63, is set to be installed on July 12 this year at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Gulu City as the second Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese since its creation in 1999.
This comes nearly four months after his appointment by His Holiness Pope Francis on March 22 this year, replacing Archbishop Emeritus John Baptist Odama who retired after clocking 75 years.
Rev. Martin Agwee, the Chancellor of Gulu Archdiocese and a member of the finance committee of the Central Organizing Committee for the event say they are seeking funds from well-wishers to support a colorful installation ceremony.
Rev. Agwee said that the Central Organizing Committee has budgeted for 108,372,000 million shillings, out of which 30 percent will cater mostly for the reception.
He notes that 70 percent of the money will facilitate construction works, tent hire, accommodation for guests, decoration, publicity, catering, transport, security, and finance, but said since the drawing of the budget, the central organizing committee has realized only 2.5 million shillings in their accounts.
Archbishop Emeritus John Baptist Odama notes that Christians in the region covering Lango, West Nile, and Acholi should generously contribute towards the event since they will benefit from the services of the new Archbishop.
He said the Christians should feel a sense of responsibility to support their new leader through their kind and cash contribution towards the installation ceremony and imposition of the pallium on Archbishop Wokorach.
Archbishop Odama however urged the incoming Archbishop to offer his service with passion without distinguishing between Christians and non-Christians in the region. He also called on Priests within the Archdiocese to join hands and work together with Archbishop Wokorach in areas of promoting peace, evangelization, and catechism.
Fr. Lawrence Komakech, the Chairperson of the Central Organizing Committee says they are expecting to host about 5,000 people for the installation of the new Archbishop. He says about 2,500 of the congregation will attend the event from inside the Cathedral while others will be hosted from outside in tents.
Who is Archbishop Wokorach?
Archbishop Wokorach was ordained as a priest on September 25, 1993, at WaduLai Parish under Nebbi Diocese by Gulu Archbishop Emeritus Martin Luluga.
Before his appointment in March this year, Archbishop Wokorach, 63 a member of the Comboni Missionary has been Bishop of Nebbi Catholic Diocese since March 2021.
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