Heaps
of Christians from the Catholic assemblage in all corners of Karamoja, and from
all angles of
 |
| The New Bishop of Moroto Rev. Damiano Giulio Guzzetti at Moroto grounds |
Uganda and beyond Saturday gathered in Moroto town to witness and
lead the promotion of a priest to a Bishop.
Rev.
Damiano Giulio Guzzetti was dunked into the seat of bishop of Moroto Diocese in
front of an overwhelming congregation from across most religious and political
divide.
Key
people who matter included Ministers, Members of parliament and other political
heads in the Internal Security Sectors and the local council. From the religious
sector itself, the Apostolic Nuncio in Uganda Monsignor Michael August Blume
was among the several big shots who adorned the occasion.
The
55 year old Damiano, is an Italian who spent most moments of his priesthood career
in Karamoja. He replaces Rt. Rev. Henry Ssentongo who served Moroto Diocese for
two good decades.
A
powerful statement from bishop of Tororo Arch Diocese who was principal
consecrator. Rt. Rev Dr. Emmanuel Obbo could easily raise eyebrows of committed
Christians who are well versed with the politics of the Church.
“You
should be a good bishop, pray with people, listen to them, bring out the best
in the believers and also, ask them to bring out the best in the church,"
Obbo appealed to the new Shepard in front of an enchanting crowd at Moroto Boma
grounds.
Security
was tight; police and the UPDF were fully on gear. The president as usual took
advantage of this good number of voters through state minister for Karamoja,
Barbra Nekesa Oundo.
A
brand new Landcruser was thrown to the new commander of this ‘valued electorates’
and in a statement, the minister observed, “The Karimojong are now the
champions in the fight against sectarianism.”
Nekesa
equally did not let go the fact that government has achieved hugely in the Karamoja
peace, recovery and reconstruction program. She thanked the new bishop for
consenting to the backbreaking assignment in Uganda’s most demanding region
A
resettlement fund of seven million UGX was also dropped from the wallet of Janet
Museveni, the minister for Karamoja to the new Bishop.
Bishop
Damiano is the fourth bishop to serve in Moroto diocese. Others where; the late
Rt. Rev. Sisto Mazzoldi. Mozzadi was the first bishop of Moroto. He was succeeded
by Rt. Rev. Paul Lokiru Kalanda. Rt.
Rev. Henry Ssentongo was therefore the third servant of the diocese.
Next
year, Moroto Catholic Diocese will commemorate 50 years of existence. During
this distinct occasion, people again from different places will as usual come
to celebrate together. It will also be that time when the Christian community would
(in the ideal world) do appraisal for the new bishop.
The
bad thing about Christianity is the inability to sight the negative facts and easily
speak out to avoid poor perceptions by chronic pagans who will always stay out
of church because they think the preacher-man is bad. For the meantime, welcome dear Bishop Damiano!
PROFILE OF THE NEW BISHOP:
Date of Birth: -15th July 1959.
Place of birth: Tulate, Lombardy-Italy.
First Ordination:-23rd September 1989.
Languages:-Italian, Ng'akarimojong and English
Studies.
1983-1985:-Novitiate in Venegono, Italy
1985-1986: English language studies in Dublin, Ireland
1986-1988: Theological studies at St. Mary's National Major
seminary Ggaba-Kampala-Uganda
1988-1989: Theological studies in Tangaza college, Nairobi,
Assignments:
1989-1994: In charge of Missionary animation and vocation
promotion of the Comboni missionaries in Italy.
1994-2009: Curate at Namalu parish, Naoi parish and later on
parish and later on parish priest of Matany parish in Moroto diocese
1999-2002: Member of the provincial council of the Comboni
missionaries in Uganda
2009-2013: Formator of postulants in Jinja
2013-2014: Treasurer of Comboni Missionaries community in
Venegono, Italy
9/2/2014: Appointed as the new bishop of the diocese of
Moroto
24/5/2014: Ordained and installed as Bishop of the diocese of Moroto
