The Most Reverend James Odongo Archbishop of Tororo, Uganda

Christmas 2005

Dear Friends,

Peace and Greetings for the Christmas Season and the New Year.  We pray that this Christmas will usher in good tidings for all in the world in need of the harmony and reconciliation promised by Christ.

The year 2005 has tested the human spirit.  It has been a period marred by violence and upheaval in the Middle East, the Far East and the Western World, as well as the disastrous effects of the Tsunami, earthquakes and hurricanes.  We have witnessed the death of the innocent and the pain of grieving families.  Police stations, banks, commuter trains, synagogues and schools have been attacked by terrorists.

The world came to the rescue of the people of the Darfur region where genocide, bloodshed, famine and other forms of human indignities prevailed.  What is happening in the Darfur region of Sudan is a microcosm of the evil rampant in our world.

In our own country we mourn the situation in northeastern Uganda which has affected so many of our people—but especially our children--beyond description.  The documentaries, the “Invisible Children“ and “Night Commuters”—Uganda’s Forgotten Children of War—are powerful evidence of evil incarnated in our world.

In all the hardships we see the face of Jesus Who identifies Himself with those who suffer.  Amid these atrocities, there is reason for joy.  The human spirit continues to be buoyed by the good that has been wrought by “people of good will,” as they are dubbed by the Christmas angels.  We can only pray that 2006 will be the year that will set aflame the inherent Spirit within each person who shares this earth.

We acknowledge gratefully the efforts of our benefactors and our people to improve the human condition in the Archdiocese of Tororo.  The progress we have made this past year is undeniable when one takes into account our achievements:  the establishment of St. John the Baptist parish at Chelekura, St. James parish at Kapchorwa, St. Martha’s at the National Teachers College in Nagongera and a retirement home for priests in Nyangole/Tororo.   Work is being undertaken for the construction of John Paul primary school in Chelekura, the accommodation of ten additional orphans at Gangama and a church dedicated to Padre Pio at Sironko where we plan to start a new parish in 2006.  None of this would be possible without the generosity and sacrifice of so many individuals.

The participation in the Caritas projects gives us hope that our people, with increased agricultural education and improved skills, will one day be able to produce enough food within the archdiocese that we will not only be self-sustaining but will be able to have an economic base.

Our efforts to provide potable water continue, thanks to your generosity.  This year brought water to Dabani, Kabwangasi, Lumino, Magale, Mbale College and Nagongera Seminary.  This precious gift of life is most appreciated by our people.

The World Health Organization reports pertaining to AIDS/HIV in Uganda bolster our spirit and determination to decimate this epidemic.  We continue to educate our people on the dangerous practices which spread this disease.  At the same time, we strive to provide assistance to those affected by AIDS/HIV, including their families.  Unfortunately, a negligible portion of our people have access to AIDS/HIV drugs.  Education and counseling remain our only weapon to combat this terrible disease.  TB and malaria continue to ravage our population.  Our hospitals suffer from lack of supplies and trained personnel.  How we wish we could get many volunteer doctors and nurses!

The Church has continued its efforts to upgrade our societal structures, particularly in the area of women’s dignity.  We are grateful for the support provided to our various women’s organizations—such as the Women’s Guild--and to the women themselves for participating in the programmes offered.

We are proud that the Uganda government cited some of our schools for their excellent performance in the National Examinations.  Among the primary schools noted were Budadiri Girls, Dabani Girls, Nagongera Girls, Namengo Girls, Magale Girls and St. James Preparatory School (boys); at the secondary level:  St. Paul’s College (Mbale), St. Peter’s College (Tororo) and St. Pius X Seminary (Nagongera).  While we applaud the government’s recognition of these schools, we know that the students of our approximately 400 archdiocesan Catholic-founded schools, despite our limited resources, are exposed to quality education, thanks to your sacrifice.  Our youth love to learn, and it is education that will transform our country.

If general living standards are to improve, Benedictine (Tororo), Budaka, Butiru, Lumino and St. Boniface Technical Schools and Mulagi Vocational Institute will be six catalysts for this much-desired change.
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We bless the efforts of those parents and other local individuals who are eager to build new educational institutions.  The fact that the Ugandan government encourages such self-help projects has given rise to the establishment of the following secondary schools.  Achilet, Butebo, Dabani, Kwapa, Lumino and Nyondo.  The emergence of these schools in the archdiocese in 2005 are a tribute to all our benefactors.

Several young men from our archdiocese were ordained priests, three in the service of the Archdiocese of Tororo and one a Benedictine priest.  We are proud that one young woman made her religious profession as a Little Sister of St. Francis.  We presently have 150 minor and 36 major seminarians, as well as 12 young men and 45 young women preparing for religious life.  This augurs well for the future.

Our plans for 2006 can only be realized with the help of our benefactors and the participation of our local people.  The formation and training of catechists and lay leaders are of utmost priority if the Church is to prosper and meet its commitment.  The catechetical centres at Budaka, Bukedea and Kidetok, which are vital to this programme, need financial support for their operations.

Transport for the clergy, religious and catechists is crucial for evangelization and pastoral visits to the villages where the bulk of our people live.

As you know, the medical situation is a major problem.  The archdiocese does all it can to improve the health of our people, but it is hindered by financial constraints and lack of medical personnel and supplies.

Our children, who form the majority of our population, need our attention.  They need nurturing and education.  Gangama Babies Home is wonderful for those orphans who live there, but there are so many orphans who have no such place to lay their head.  It is for these innocents that we cry for the ability to provide adequate accommodations.  Another Gangama Babies Home is required in a different area of the archdiocese.  How can this occur without funds?
 
We are grateful to our benefactors for their support of our Homes for the Disabled at Budaka and Butiru; however, they cannot be left in their present condition.  They need expansion and upgrading.

Over the recent past, schools have mushroomed in Uganda.  Some schools are without walls, blackboards, paper, pencils and books.  Computers are a rarity.  While some individuals would be willing to give our schools used computers, the expense of exporting these and other items to Africa can be prohibitive unless some organization is willing to underwrite the shipping cost.

In retrospect, 2005 has been a great year for our development and has brought us great hope and encouragement for 2006. All our success can be laid at your feet—it is your compassion and understanding of our situation that made it possible.  We are greatly indebted for all you do for us.

We trust that 2005 has been a good year for you as well.  I promise, in reciprocation for your kindness to us, to offer special Masses on Christmas and New Year’s Day for your intentions.  Please pray for us as we pray for you.

With Christmas greetings and best wishes for the New Year, I am,
 
      Yours sincerely,
 
 

      James Odongo
      Archbishop of Tororo

P.S. As you know, you can make a tax-deductible (ID #13-3474680) donation to assist us in our ministry in the name of:

The Friends of the Catholic Diocese of Tororo
c/o Reverend Monsignor John B. Kauta
P.O. Box 490
Bedford, New York 10506
(Telephone:  914-234-3838)

God of our ancestors, Lord of mercy,
who by your word have made the universe,
and in your wisdom have fitted human beings
to govern the world in holiness and saving justice
and in honesty of soul to dispense fair judgement,
grant me Wisdom, consort of your throne,
and do not reject me from the number of your children.
For I am your servant, son of your serving maid,
a feeble man, with little time to live,
with small understanding of justice and the laws.
Indeed, were anyone perfect among the sons of men,
if he lacked the Wisdom that comes from you,
he would still count for nothing.

With you is Wisdom, she who knows your works,
she who was present when you made the world;
she understands what is pleasing in your eyes
and what agrees with your commandments.
Despatch her from the holy heavens,
send her forth from your throne of glory
to help me and to toil with me
and teach me what is pleasing to you;
since she knows and understands everything
she will guide me prudently in my actions
and will protect me with her glory.