The Vicar General of Soroti Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Robert Ecogu, has issued a strong appeal to Christians to stop grabbing land belonging to the Church.
He made these remarks on Saturday during the burial mass for the late John Michael Oluka, a respected Christian and land donor, at his ancestral home.
Fr. Ecogu praised the late Oluka as a humble and faithful servant of God who made a lasting contribution to the Catholic Church by donating part of his land for church development.
He described Oluka’s gesture as a reflection of true Christian values and urged others to emulate his generosity.
“We are gathered here to pay our final respects to a man who loved God deeply and served the Church quietly but faithfully,” Fr. Ecogu said.
“One of the ways he showed his faith was through donating land to the Church, not seeking anything in return. This is the spirit we need, not the fights, not the greed, not the grabbing of what belongs to God.”
In recent years, the Soroti Catholic Diocese, like many religious institutions across the country, has faced increasing threats to its land from encroachers, including some individuals within the Church community.
Fr. Ecogu warned that land grabbing not only undermines the Church’s mission but also invites God’s judgment.
“Let me make it clear: grabbing Church land is a sin. It is an act of betrayal and selfishness. How can we say we love God and yet steal from His house?” he asked passionately.
Fr. Ecogu went on to condemn the growing trend of hostility towards Church leaders, citing several incidents where Christians have turned against their priests and bishops over issues of Church administration and land.
“There is also a new and dangerous tendency where Christians are fighting their own spiritual leaders,” he said.
“It’s painful and uncalled for. We must respect the authority of the Church and remember that our priests are here to guide us spiritually, not to be insulted or dragged into unnecessary conflicts.”
He appealed to all Christians who have wronged the Church in any way to seek forgiveness through genuine repentance, noting that it is never too late to return to God.
“Repentance is key. Let us not die in sin. If you have wronged God or His Church, come forward, confess, and make peace,” Fr. Ecogu implored.
In his homily, he further encouraged the faithful to deepen their spiritual lives by developing a strong devotion to the Holy Rosary, emphasizing that prayer remains the most powerful weapon for any Christian.
“If we want to attain the favors of God, healing, peace in our homes, and blessings in our communities, we must return to prayer,” Fr. Ecogu urged.
“Pray the Rosary every day. It’s a source of strength, protection, and spiritual growth.”
The funeral mass was attended by hundreds of mourners, including local leaders, members of the clergy, family, and friends of the deceased. Many who knew John Michael Oluka described him as a soft-spoken, God-fearing man who left a lasting legacy in the Church and the community.
One of Oluka’s daughters, speaking on behalf of the family, thanked the Church for standing with them during their time of grief and pledged to carry on his father’s legacy of faith and generosity.
“We were taught by our father to love God and serve His Church. We shall continue to do that,” he said.
As the body of John Michael Oluka was laid to rest, Fr. Ecogu’s message echoed beyond the burial grounds, a call for integrity, humility, and a renewed commitment to faith among Christians in Teso and across Uganda.
“Let us build the Church, not fight it. Let us serve, not steal. Let us pray, not plot. Only then can we be true followers of Christ,” he concluded.
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