ARCHDIOCESE OF TORORO:  OBJECTIVES FOR THE YEAR 2006
MISSIONARY COOPERATIVE PLAN

The reports surrounding the Group of Eight (G8) Summit in Scotland were most encouraging for us in Africa, particularly since the world became aware that the leaders of the economically powerful nations recognize the need to overcome poverty, ignorance and disease in our continent.  We can only hope that their resolutions will be translated into action.  Africa is indeed at a critical stage of her history, for the bulk of our people are living in substandard conditions with little opportunity for progress and human development.

The Archdiocese of Tororo, cognizant that the North American Church, through the Missionary Cooperative Plan, has always worked at improving the lives of people living in Africa and other third-world countries.  The disparity between the North and the South is unacceptable to the Church which strongly upholds the dignity of each person as proclaimed by Christ Himself.

The charity forthcoming from you and your people is the parable of the Good Samaritan in action.  It is the response to the call of Jesus who cared for those in need—the hungry and the sick.  Through the generosity and the sacrifice of our benefactors and the Missionary Cooperative Plan, we are able to fulfill the command of love of our fellow human beings.

If our people are to be empowered to live transformed lives—lives free of poverty, ignorance and disease--they must have access to potable water, medicine, education and other forms of sustenance.  We seek resources to combat the invisible enemy—AIDS/HIV—which has taken a terrible toll on our people—in addition to the age-old and ever-present diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, to say nothing of a myriad of other diseases.  If only our people had medicines, modern medical equipment and adequately trained personnel, they might not suffer so greatly.  The Archdiocese of Tororo uses a portion of the proceeds received from the Missionary Cooperative Appeals to improve its health facilities and to procure some medication and equipment so that its people may have life and have it to the full—in fulfillment of Christ’s words.
 
The construction of wells remains one of our priorities.  Most of the wells we have built over the past few years have been located near schools so that we can be assured that the children have good water to drink; of course, the people in the vicinity of the well also share in its bounty.  Each well costs approximately $7,000, but is a recurring gift of life to many.

Ugandan children are victims of poverty, disease, ignorance and the ravages of guerilla warfare.  The country has over 2 million orphans.  Over 100,000 children have been kidnapped and taken into the army, slavery and forced marriages by the so-called Lord’s Resistance Army—a rebel movement believed to be based in Sudan.  Our children are vulnerable and under great stress; they live in fear of tomorrow.  We must do all we can to nurture our children.  We believe education is key to their salvation, both physically and morally.  Even the best of our schools lack scholastic materials and are overcrowded.  The physical plants are often in disrepair and lack the technology taken for granted in the Western world.
 
The archdiocesan Women’s Desk continues to be a catalyst in improving the conditions of women throughout the archdiocese.  You probably are aware of the plight of the Ugandan widows who are burdened by their inability to support their families.  It would be great if the Archdiocese of Tororo could make a difference in the lives of these women and their children.  According to the prophets, caring for the widows and the orphans is the heart of true religion.
 
If we are to meet the spiritual needs of our people, our priests and catechists must have adequate transportation to reach the remote villages of the Archdiocese of Tororo.  We appreciate the contribution of the clergy, religious, catechists and laity who are conscientious in their role as evangelists.  Their involvement brings viability to the archdiocese.

The Archdiocese of Tororo has approximately 100 priests to serve more than 500,000 Catholics—an average of 5,000 parishioners per priest.  Our estimated 900 catechists supplement the work of our priests, particularly in the more than 500 outstations.  Most our priests use motorbikes to bring the sacraments to their people.  Catechists often travel via bicycles or on foot.  It would be most advantageous for our pastoral work if we were to procure more motorbikes and bicycles which cost $5,000 and $100, respectively.