By Tolit Ivan
The Orthodox Christian community in Acholi-Nyek village, Lakwaya sub county, in Omoro district were on Thursday filled with joy as they celebrated the completion and the blessing of a magnificent St Catherine Greek Orthodox Church by His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Theodore II.
Pope Theodore II is the leader of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa, one of the oldest Christian patriarchates.
He is the spiritual head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Africa and is based in Alexandria, Egypt. Pope Theodore II was in Gulu for a pastoral visit.
The multi-million church was constructed in the former based of the Lord’s Resistance Army Commander’s (LRA) leader Joseph Kony with funding from well-wishers across the global.
Speaking during the ceremony Pope Theodore II asked the Archbishop of the Orthodox Church Northern Uganda to use the church to serve the people. He also expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended to the Orthodox Church and commended President Museveni’s role in supporting religious freedom.
Father Simon Menya, the Parish Priest of St Catherine Greek Orthodox Church, said the event marked a significant milestone for the Orthodox Church and the local community, as it was the first church consecration to be presided over by the Pope in the region.
According to Menya, the one -year project stands as a testament to the unwavering faith, commitment, and generosity of the community in the country and those in the diaspora who sacrificed the little they had to see the church established.
While in Jinja in Eastern Uganda the Pope retaliated the call for peace and unity among people of different faiths.
The papal sermon was attended by congregants from different religious denominations across the Busoga sub-region to jointly welcome Theodoros II.
Theodoros presided over a one-hour special mass inside the resurrection cathedral, before laying hands on clerical teams and congregants.
Theodoros also raised the need for human rights observation, with all people having the consideration of each other’s well-being.
He also rallied the church to always have special consideration for the poor, orphans and widows, among other underprivileged groups of people.
Theodoros has set off for South Sudan, where he is expected to preside over another papal visit.
