RECONCILIATION PRAYER
HELD IN KITGUM DIOCESE ON SUNDAY 25TH MAY 2014 LED BY BISHOP JOHNSON
GAKUMBA BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF NORTHERN UGANDA ASSISTED BY THE RETIRED BISHOP
OF KITGUM DIOCESE MACLEORD BAKER OCHOLA II AND BISHOP BENJAMIN OJWANG.
Introduction:
The
conflict in Kitgum Diocese started about 12 years ago when Bishop Benjamin had
just been consecrated. Many attempts were made at resolving the conflict. The
latest one being a team of the Peace and Social Justice Commission sent from
the office of the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, His Grace Stanley Ntagali. This latest reconciliation attempt was
initiated by Bishop Benoni Ogwal in August 2013 where it was decided that a
reconciliatory prayer be organized, accounts of the parish which were closed be
re- opened and the court case be dropped.
Bishop
Johnson took with him the Archdeacon of Nwoya Archdeaconry Rev John Ochola, Mr.
Mawa Francis-Chairman house of laity and Rev Canon Willy Akena the Chaplain.
The team left Gulu Sunday
morning and by 9:00am they had arrived in Kitgum. They went to straight to the
Bishop’s residence in Mican. The Bishop was not at home when the team arrived,
but Margaret was at home and welcomed the team.
When
the Bishop came, and had a meeting with the team over breakfast and prepared to
leave for the venue at Kitgum Town Parish.
The
Bishop was hesitant to picking his clerical robes, and the pastoral staff. He
said he will not participate in the service but instead he will be prayed for.
After pleading with him, he finally accepted to take the robes and pastoral
staff with him. The team was warmly welcomed at the Ground of the St. Janani Luwum
Church by excited Christians who had been praising God while waiting for the
arrival of Bishop Benjamin, Johnson Gakumba and the entourage. After greeting
the Christians the team then went inside the Church for robing.
The service started with
praises and then the Vicar of St. Janani welcomed a section of the Christians
who turned up, and then introduced Bishop Johnson Gakumba who came to represent
his Grace the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda. Bishop Johnson then gave guidelines
regarding the service. The service began
by Bishop Johnson Gakumba welcoming back the Concerned Christians and other
people who had left the Church for various reasons. A number of people responded by coming to the front and Bishop
Johnson led them in prayer of repentance using the Lwo prayer book from page 1
where it says “ If we say we have no sin
we deceive ourselves and there is
no truth in us ...” In Lwo it says, “ Ka wawaco ni wape ki bal ci wabwole
abwola kenwa, ada nongo pe……” Thereafter
he gave an absolution and received them
back in the church. This was followed by litany prayers. After the
litany prayer the Bishop then led the rest of the Christians to prayer of repentance
using the Story of the Prodigal Son in Luke Gospel Chapter 15:15-32. When the
lost Son came back, the brother was not happy, because of the treatment given
to him by his father, Bishop Johnson said even the son who had remained at home
was also lost-meaning even those who had remained in the Church were lost and
needed repentance and reconciliation with one another.
The service continued with the Holy Communion
Service, with three readings Psalms 133, Romans 12: 9-21 and Matthew 7:1-12. Thereafter,
six people gave testimonies. They included:-Representative of the Concerned Christians,
who said, “there is no more concerned Christians in Kitgum Diocese, we are all one
in Christ.” Representative
of the Clergy testified that “let this
repentance and reconciliation be from the heart”. Bishop Macleord Baker
Ochola II gave his testimony followed by Bishop Benjamin Ojwang “I stand to declare total repentance and
forgiveness to those who in one way or the other I have offended or have
offended me. It is now time for a new era”. RDC Kitgum Captain Santo Okot Lapolo testified
“Today I will sleep soundly” and
finally the LCV Kitgum said “Today a
miracle has taken place”.
The
Sermon was delivered by Bishop Johnson Gakumba who appealed to the Christians
of Kitgum not to give room to the devil again, to settle their differences
quickly before it escalates, to love one another and live in Peace with all.
The Sermon was followed by offertory and Holy Communion conducted by Bishop
Ochola and Bishop Benjamin. The final blessing was done by all the three
Bishops.
After the service key people
had lunch at the residence of Retired Bishop of Kitgum Macleord Baker Ochola
II. After Lunch a team went to Mighty Fire FM who gave airtime on their radio
for one hour and fifteen minutes. The team included Bishop Johnson Gakumba,
Bishop Benjamin Ojwang, B.Y Opio, Dr. Okun Okaka and Rev. Simon Peter Odur.
Concluding remarks
Christian
of Kitgum expressed joy and happiness that the conflict that had separated them
is now over. We thank God and the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda for
standing by the people of Kitgum in the time of need. We continue to pray for
genuine repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation and transformation of the
people. We acknowledge there are issues
raised by the Synod that still needs to be addressed.
Signed
RT.REV.
JOHNSON GAKUMBA
DIOCESE
OF NORTHERN UGANDA/REPRESENTING HIS GRACE THE ARCHBIHSOP OF THE CHURCH OF
UGANDA
Aber Stella lost both parents during
the war with the Lord’s Resistance Army. She joined Women Development Centre in
February 2014 and registered for hairdressing course. Towards the end of term
one, the centre sent students back home for failure to pay the fees
requirements. Stella (A child mother) who is a mother to Rwotdit Jerald was
among students sent home to get school fees. Unfortunately, when she went home
her Uncle told her that he does not have money to continue paying her. Stella
then stayed at home and as second term opens in May, Stella could not return to
the centre. Instead she left the home of his uncle and started staying with a
grandmother and digging inorder to make end meets. The Good news came when
Marie said they could help to support the 11 students. I struggled to get
Stella back and finally on Friday 30, Stella came to me and I told her to come
back to school on Monday 2nd May 2014. 
I am also trying to get the rest back to the
centre because Marie has accepted to pay their fees. Are you also willing to
pay one or two students at the Centre? The Total cost per term can be just
about 100 US dollars per term and we have only three terms in a year. The
hairdressing course takes only one year and thereafter the students can be able
to support themselves and their children.
