NEW PARISH PRIEST INSTALLED FOR CHRSIT THE KING PARISH
The new Episcopal Vicar for Kitgum Vicariate, Monsginor Vincent Ojok installed the new Parish Priest for Christ the King Kitgum Rev. Fr. Anthony Nyeko on December 4, 2011. In a colorful mass that was celebrated by the new Episcopal Vicar, Rev. Fr. Anthony Nyeko was installed as the Parish Priest. Fr. Nyeko who hails from Lukome Parish was the curate of Pajule Parish. Fr. Anthony Nyeko replaces Msgr. Mathew Ojara. Hundreds of parishioners turned up for the mass which was started at 10:00am at Christ the King.
In his homily, the Msgr. urged the Christians to be faithful to their partners, underscoring unfaithfulness as the major source of instability in the families, and that the sacrament of Matrimony is for holiness of families and a great wealth of the church. The Vicar said that alcoholism has made many men and women become slaves to Alcohol. The main celebrant advised the Christians to straighten the crooked roads by being contented with what they have, praying with humility and loving one another.
In accordance with the rites of the ceremony, the the incoming Parish priest professed his faith before the congregation. After that, Fr. Nyeko was announced the new Parish Priest of Christ the King Parish at 11:24am. He was given the Holy Bible, the key to the Sacristy and the relics of Blessed Daudi Okelo and Jildo Irwa, the Paimol Martyrs (Wii Polo). Fr. Anthony was welcomed by the Episcopal Vicar, head catechist, representatives of the holy family, the youths, Crusaders and the children (Nginingini) among others. The co celebrants were Rev. Fr. Loum Justine(curate of Amuru Parish), Rev. Fr. Komakech Christopher (Parish Priest of Puranga Parish) and Rev. Fr. Odong Robert (curate of Christ the King Parish.)
The outgoing Parish priest who is also the outgoing Episcopal Vicar for Kitgum Vicariate, Rev.Fr. Mathew Ojara thanked the parishioners of Christ the King for working in unity with him. He also reminded the gathering that every human is a sinner so we need to ask for forgiveness all the time we wrong our neighbors. Fr. Ojara said that he will always have the people of Christ the King at heart as he goes away to the United States for a sabbatical year. Finally, the Fr. asked for a silence of prayer for the souls of the departed Priests Rev.Fr. Anthony Opwa, (RIP) and Rev.Fr. Christopher Ocan (RIP). The two priests were his curates at the same Parish.
The Chairman Parish Council, who is also the Speaker of Kitgum District Local Government, Hon. Oguti Geoffrey told the Christians to be, “Christians in deed but not only in needs.” He urged the Christians to work with devotion for the common good and the development of the Parish. Ogutti said that Christians should be self-reliant and fight against the dependency syndrome. He advised the Parish priest to create income generating activities in the Parish and look for ways forward to the construction of the new church.
In a jovial mood, the new Parish Priest promised to work hand in hand with his Parishioners to develop the Parish. He strongly advocated for unity among his parishioners.
The ceremony reached its climax with football matches between youths, women, one hundred meters race for heavy weights (women), music, dance and drama.