President Museveni Congratulates Rt. Rev. Bishop Odoki Upon His 40 Years in Priesthood.

H.E The President, Y.K MUSEVENI APPLAUDS Rt. Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoki, Bishop of the Diocese of Arua, for serving 40years in priesthood.

*The Speech was delivered by the Minister of Gender, labour and Social Dvelopment who represented the President at the anniversary celebration. See H.E Speech below.*

SPEECH BY: H.E. YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI

PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA. AT THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY IN PRIESTHOOD OF RT. REV. SABINO OCAN ODOKI (BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF ARUA) EDIOFE CATHEDRAL, ARUA, 26TH OCTOBER, 2023.

  I want to thank Rt. Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoki, Bishop of the Diocese of Arua, for inviting me to witness and celebrate your 40th Anniversary, in Priesthood. I wish to congratulate you upon making forty years, in the service of the Church and God’s people. I thank the Almighty God for your ministry and shepherding of God’s people.

Today, we return honor and glory to the Almighty God, for his divine protection and blessings, upon your life and ministry. It is by the Lord’s power, that you have been able serve the Church and remain true to the priestly vows which you made 40 years ago.  I believe that the Almighty God will continue to magnify your ministry and stewardship, according to his divine will and purposes.

I want to use this occasion to thank the Church for playing an active role in shaping the morals of society, by condemning social ills like corruption, child abuse and sacrifices, early marriages, sexual perversions, etc.

I also commend the Church leadership for spearheading developmental projects in the communities. Faith-based institutions have supplemented Government efforts to raise people’s standards of living, by extending health and educational services near the people. I thank you for ensuring that your followers achieve decent standards of living here on earth.

Jesus Christ should serve as an example to all the Church. The Scriptures show that besides fasting and prayer, he also healed the physical ailments of the blind, lame, lepers, deaf, etc.

Additionally, he earned his bread by working alongside his father Joseph as a carpenter. Jesus was not a passive bystander or spectator in the development process of his society. He worked for both the spiritual and socio-economic uplift of society. This is what all Christians must emulate.

The benefits of development and socio-economic transformation are enjoyed by all people regardless of their religious identity or tribe or region. There is no religion or tribe that does not need a good road or a hospital or a school. It is in the best interest of everybody that Uganda continues to accelerate towards modernity, development and political stability.

Therefore, I urge all Christians to continue being agents of positive change in society. You should not be limited to spiritual evangelism only. The total ministry of Jesus Christ involves catering also for the material needs of our people. The religious leaders should continue mobilizing communities to be active participants in Government programs geared towards eradicating poverty at household level.

The leadership of National Resistance Movement (NRM), has laid the foundation for socio-economic transformation by securing the entire country; building roads, hospitals, schools, water sources, dams to generate electricity and other public services.

 

Finally, I, once again, want to congratulate Rt. Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoki, upon making 40 years, in Priesthood. I wish you good health and success, in all your future endeavors.

I thank you all.