2008 PROVINCIAL PEACE WEEK CELEBRATION
The Ecclesiastical Province of Gulu held its third annual Peace Prayer Week
in Nebbi Diocese in January from 8th to 12th. Gulu will host the next one in
January 2009 from 13th to 17th.
The idea of Peace Week was inaugurated in 2006. The first one was hosted in
Adjumani by Arua diocese and the second, by diocese of Lira from 8th- 12th
January, 2007.
Archbishop John Baptist Odama of Gulu, the architect of the event, the said that
when the province was created, there also came a dream to make the Archdiocese
and its people “grow all new alive in love.”
He added that the dream was a mission for all the people in the Archdiocese to
“think together, live in harmony and appreciate all cultures and one another.”
It aims at making each and everyone in the region peace bearer in his or her
heart. He said peace cannot come to our region if we do not grow anew in love.
During his homily, Archbishop Odama urged people of the region to stop tribal
prejudice among themselves. “May our region be one of the areas where peace
reigns,” he said. On the history of Uganda, the Archbishop said Uganda is
distorted since independence. “We have acquired the culture of violence. We are
over proud to say that we shall kill our enemies. Who are our enemies?” he
asked.
He appealed to people to abandon the culture of violence and not to promote it.
“It is destructive. No one should take pride in killing, revenge and cycle of
violence,” he added.
Turning to the theme of the peace week, “The Human Family: Community of Peace,”
a theme that was given by Pope Benedict for the world day of peace, Archbishop
Odama said it draws the attention of humanity to have peace. According to him,
peace starts from love in the hearts of individuals. He continued that, “God is
love and gave to humanity the power to love.”
He appealed to people to make peace in the society and let it start from their
hearts, extend to their family, clan, tribe and nation. The Archbishop asked all
church leaders to make sure that they mentor families in their areas to live
according to God’s desire. “Family is the first indispensable teacher of peace.
We should not tolerate perpetuation of violence in the family. Language in the
family should be that of peace,” he emphasized.
He also urged government and the Church to protect families and make sure that
children and other people’s rights are promoted.
The event was attended by political, religious and cultural leaders in the
region. Justice P. K. Onega, Chairman of the Amnesty Commission was the guest of
honour. Among the activities were workshops, prayers and cultural performances
aimed at reconciling the region.
Summary by James Oweka of
Justice and Peace Commission
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