Monday, December 20, 2010

New Vision Online : Archbishop Odama decries child sacrifice

Bishop Odoki greeting the Leader of Opposition in Parlaiment, Prof. Ogenga Latigo

Bishop Odoki greeting the Leader of Opposition in Parlaiment, Prof. Ogenga Latigo

By Ayiga Ondoga

THE Gulu Archbishop, the Rt. Rev. John Baptist Odama, has lamented the rampant child sacrifice in the country in the name of getting wealth.

�Why should you kill and sacrifice children in order to get rich. That is the craziness in human minds. We should review our mindset on lifestyle,� he said.

Odama made the remarks during the installation of the third bishop of Arua Diocese, Sabino Ocan Odoki, at Ediofe Cathedral in Arua district on Saturday.
The two former bishops were the late Angello Tarantino and out-going Bishop Emeritus, Fredrick Drandua.

He also urged parents to take good care of their children.

Odama urged the people to stop promoting witchcraft in order to restore harmonious co-existence, unity and development.

�Family values should be upheld. Why should one go for witchcraft and at the same time pretend to be a Christian? Family members should resolve conflicts amicably,� Odama stressed.

He urged the people to fight corruption through exposing the people who steal funds meant to promote development programmes.

Odama prayed for a successful and transparent election in 2011.
The ceremony was attended by disaster preparedness and refugees minister Prof. Tarsis Kabwegere. Kabwegere represented President Yoweri Museveni.

Others present were and the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Paul Tschang In-Nam, His Eminence Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala and Kampala Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga.

Odoki was appointed bishop of Arua Diocese by Pope Benedict XVI on October 26.

The Apostolic Nuncio commended the Catholic missionaries for working tirelessly to evangelise society.
He urged Christians to work with the new bishop to promote Christian values.
Wamala urged Odoki to work with other leaders to develop his region.

�You have the support of the Christians in the diocese and Uganda at large. Seek the cooperation of other religious and political leaders to elevate the living standards of the people in the region,� he noted.