Archbishop Emeritus James Odongo marked his Golden Jubilee Anniversary of his Episcopal Ordination by the celebration Holy Mass on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at the Uganda Martyrs Cathedral Nyangole in Tororo.
Archbishop Odongo, who was ordained an Auxiliary bishop on February 16, 1965, becomes the first Ugandan to attain 50 years of service as a Bishop. His celebration began in style as he entered the Cathedral with a procession of Archbishops, Bishops and Priests with whom he had served during his 50 years.
In a statement written by the Holy Father in Latin language, Pope Francis praised the work of the Archbishop in the past years. “Archbishop Odongo dedicated his priesthood to inspiring families to be holy for the past 50 years. I therefore congratulate him for his fruitful ministry and spiritual good of the people,” read the Pope’s message.
The concelebrants to the Holy Mass included the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Most Rev. Michael August Blume, His Eminence Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, the Archbishop of Gulu and Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) Most Rev. John Baptist Odama, Archbishop Emeritus of Tororo Most Rev. Dennis Kiwanuka and the present Archbishop of Tororo His Grace Emmanuel Obbo.
AMECEA secretariat was represented by Rev Fr Ferdinand Lugonzo who was accompanied by Rev Fr Joseph Healey, the first Social Communication Secretary at AMECEA. Also present to the event was the Vice President Edward Ssekandi who represented President Museveni as the Chief Guest.
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| From Left: H.E. Archbishop Michael Blume, Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Most Rev. James Odongo and Most Rev Emmanuel Obbo of Toroto |
There were also over 10 bishops and 130 priests from across the region.
In his homily, Msgr. Kauta, described the Archbishop as a wise and holy man of courage, generosity and humility, Msgr. Kauta added, “I have learned many things from Archbishop Odongo. He is a social person and a man of firm determination, who never gets tired of serving the Eucharist and prayer. His own personal agenda never got in the way because he didn’t have one. I pray that God gives him sanity and lucidity of mind to continue sharing His word with us.”
The Apostolic Nuncio said that Archbishop Odongo is one of the few living Fathers of the Second Vatican Council to put his signature of approval on such important documents. These include the decree, the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the modern missionary activity, on Religious Freedom, the Laity and five others.
In his message Cardinal Wamala said that during his term as the UEC and AMECEA chairman, the Archbishop has always been looked to for guidance, which he always gives with clarity, firmness and humour.
Archbishop Odama urged the gathering not only to look at him as the Archbishop but also to see him as a library, granary of knowledge and the first citizen in the Catholic diocese of Tororo. “Everyone should take advantage of his presence because he is still brilliant in mind and he can give good guidance,” he added.
Archbishop Odongo closed the ceremony with a speech, which he advised priests not to fall into the temptation of individualism and subjectivism. “I have managed to walk all these fifty-eight years of priesthood and while fifty years serving as a bishop, repeating the same celebration every day because each day I kept and keep reminding myself of all these words: ‘Oh Priest of Jesus Christ, celebrate this Mass as if it were your first Mass, your last Mass, your only Mass.’ This is what I have done from the day of my priestly ordination on December 22, 1956. During my spiritual journey of faith I also used four anchors for support including the Holy Mass, the word of God, prayer and the rosary,” said Archbishop Odongo.
The celebration concluded with a public reception for all at the cathedral’s grounds and distribution of a prayer card as a memento of the special golden jubilee. Many of the faithful also met the Archbishop after the celebration of Mass to personally congratulate him.
Archbishop Odongo and his twin brother the late Alfred Opio, were born in Molo, a town near Tororo, on March 27, 1931. Their father, Gabriel Omunyin, was a catechist while their mother, Rosalina Nyachwo, was a peasant farmer. The twins were the first born in a family of 10 children comprising of six boys and four girls.
At just 32, Archbishop Odongo became Uganda’s fourth indigenous bishop and the appointment also came on time for him to participate in the Second Vatican Council. He went to the Fourth and Last Session of the Second Vatican Council that took place in the Vatican (Rome) from September 14 to December 8, 1965.
Archbishop Odongo’s tenure also saw the establishment of Centenary bank which is one of the leading banks in the country. Despite the political turmoil of the 1970s and 80s, he mobilized support from Christians in his diocese and the government to establish 13 new parishes, 10 health facilities, nine schools, eight convents and other educational institutions.
The Archbishop served as a chairman of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) between 1973 and 1979. Pope Benedict XVI accepted his resignation from the pastoral care of Tororo Archdiocese on June 27, 2007 on account of the age limit.
By Jacinta Wangalwa Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference