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| Most Rev. James Odongo Archbishop Emeritus of Tororo |
Archbishop Odongo was elected the first African Chairman of AMECEA at the Plenary Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya in December, 1973. The AMECEA Study Conference on “Planning for the Church in Eastern Africa in the 1980s” stated: “We have to insist on building church life and work on Basic Christian Communities in both rural and urban areas. Church life must be based on the communities in which everyday life and work take place: those basic and manageable social groups whose members can experience real inter-personal relationships and feel a sense of communal belonging, both in living and working.” This pastoral policy was in the context of the statement: “We are convinced that in these countries of Eastern Africa it is time for the Church to become truly local that is, self-ministering, self-propagating and self-supporting.”
Three years later Odongo was re-elected chairman in Nairobi, Kenya in July, 1976. At the AMECEA Study Conference on “Building Small Christian Communities” the key statement was: "Systematic formation of Small Christian Communities should be the key pastoral priority in the years to come in Eastern Africa.” This is the single most important statement made about SCCs. There are now over 160,000 SCCs in Eastern Africa. Over the years the SCCs in the AMECEA Region have had a significant influence on the rest of Africa and around the world.
Archbishop Odongo explained that after his six years as chairman, to provide continuity he remained on the Executive Board of AMECEA for three years (1979-1982) as the representative of Uganda and as the Chairman of the Social Communications Commission in the AMECEA Region. During this time the Pan-African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications of the Catholic Bishops (CEPACS) was established in 1981 as one of the committees of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). Odongo was the representative of AMECEA on CEPACS from 1981 to 1989 and instrumental in its founding. Its first office was located in Nairobi, Kenya.
Archbishop Odongo recounted some of his experiences in Rome. He and Seminarian (now Cardinal) Francis Arinze of Nigeria both played fullback on the Propaganda Fide College Football Team. Odongo also played tennis – an enjoyable hobby thoughout his active life. He welcomed Seminarian (now Cardinal) Emmanuel Wamala of Uganda to Rome in September, 1955.
Odongo also recalled participating in the Fourth and Last Session of the Second Vatican Council that took place in the Vatican (Rome) from 14 September to 8 December 1965. Presently there are three living bishops in the AMECEA Region who officially participated in Vatican II – a significant historical milestone: Archbishop Odongo, Retired English Bishop Colin Davies, MHM, of Ngong Diocese, Kenya now living in England and Retired Tanzanian Bishop Gervas Placidus Nkalanga, OSB of Bukoba Diocese, Tanzania now living at Hanga Abbey, Tanzania.
Odongo vividly described where he sat in St. Peter’s Basilica following the plan of seniority. He explained how he and all the other bishops signed the final 11 documents in the spirit of collegiality and joint ownership. From his seat in St. Peter’s he wrote his signature in ink that was then copied electronically and attached to all the documents. Later he wrote: “I returned to Africa with a deep impact on my life eager to share the message of the Second Vatican Council with the People of God in Tororo Diocese.”
A colorful Golden Jubilee Booklet of 46 pages was produced that contains many memorable photographs and messages of congratulations and tributes. A biography of Archbishop Odongo will be published on his 84th birthday on 27 March, 2015. He complied many of his favorite sayings and inspirational thoughts in a book entitled Wise Sayings.
By: Rev. Joseph G. Healey, MM