The Catholic community in Amuria District is celebrating a new milestone following the erection of St. Peter Julian Eymard Catholic Parish in Ogangai.
The new parish was officially inaugurated by the Bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Eciru Oliach, in a colorful ceremony that drew thousands of Christians, clergy, and community leaders today.
The new parish has been carved out of St. Peter Canisius Catholic Parish in Orungo and St. Andrew Catholic Parish in Obalanga, signifying continued growth in the faith across Teso Sub-region.
During the event, Bishop Eciru appointed Rev. Fr. Joseph Eilu, who has been serving as Assistant Chaplain at Teso College Aloet, as the pioneer parish priest.
The announcement was met with joy and applause from the faithful, who welcomed the young priest with ululations and song.
In his homily, Bishop Eciru centered his message on the Eucharist, emphasizing its role as the foundation of Catholic faith and the life of the Church.
He reminded the congregation that St. Peter Julian Eymard, after whom the parish is named, was a priest devoted to the Eucharist and known for his promotion of Eucharistic Adoration.
“The heart of the Catholic Church and the Catholic faith is the Holy Eucharist. Without the Eucharist there is no Church. Let us put all our trust in the Eucharist,” Bishop Eciru said.
He encouraged the faithful in Ogangai to fully embrace Eucharistic Adoration, noting that through it they can find strength, health, wisdom, and divine guidance.
“The Eucharist is a source of grace and renewal. Let us approach it with reverence and faith,” he added.
Bishop Eciru also used the occasion to appeal for unity among Christians, urging them to work closely with their new parish priest to nurture and grow the parish.
He discouraged the practice of “roaming from church to church,” which he said weakens the spiritual bond of the faithful to their local communities.
“Every Christian has a responsibility to build the Church. Let us stand firm in our faith, remain committed to our parish, and support the priest in his mission,” he advised.
He further encouraged the parishioners to contribute their time, talents, and resources towards the development of the parish.
He emphasized that a new parish is not only a spiritual center but also a hub of social and community development that requires active participation from all members.
The creation of St. Peter Julian Eymard Parish marks a significant milestone for the Catholic community in Ogangai and surrounding areas.
For many years, Christians had to travel long distances to attend services in Orungo or Obalanga.
The establishment of the new parish now brings spiritual services closer to the people, easing pastoral care and strengthening evangelization efforts.
Rev. Fr. Joseph Eilu, in his maiden remarks as parish priest, expressed gratitude to the Bishop for entrusting him with the responsibility of shepherding the new parish.
He pledged to work with humility and dedication to ensure that the faith grows stronger in Ogangai.
“I am humbled by this appointment and grateful to the Bishop and the entire diocese for the trust placed in me. I call upon all the faithful to walk this journey together as one family of God. Let us build a parish that reflects love, prayer, and service,” Fr. Eilu said.
The establishment of new parishes in the Soroti Catholic Diocese reflects the steady growth of Catholicism in Teso.
Over the past years, Bishop Eciru has prioritized expanding pastoral structures to ensure that the faithful can access sacraments and pastoral guidance more effectively.
Local leaders present at the event hailed the development as a blessing to Ogangai, saying it would not only strengthen spiritual life but also inspire unity, discipline, and development in the wider community.
As the faithful celebrated this new beginning, the Bishop’s message resonated deeply: the Eucharist must remain at the heart of their lives. With the foundation laid by St. Peter Julian Eymard’s devotion, the Christians of Ogangai now embark on a new chapter of faith, service, and community building.
For advertising or to run your news article, contact us on 0785674642 or email tesonewsnetwork@gmail.com
About Author
