The Bishop of Arua Diocese in North Western Uganda, Sabino Ochan Odoki, has called on Christians to reject modern-day idols and embrace God as the foundation for lasting peace in society. Bishop Odoki made the appeal during the closing Eucharistic celebration of the Gulu Ecclesiastical Province’s “Prayer and Peace Week,” held this week at Lango College in Uganda’s Lira Diocese.
During the closing Mass, Bishop Odoki also commissioned peace pilgrims and urged them to return to their dioceses as peace ambassadors.
The Prayer and Peace Week was held in Lira Diocese under the theme, “Peace Be With You,” from the Gospel of Saint John 20:19. This week-long pastoral and spiritual event drew participants from the four dioceses of Gulu Ecclesiastical Province—Gulu Archdiocese, Lira, Nebbi, and Arua dioceses respectively—as well as the Diocese of Kotido from the Ecclesiastical Province of Tororo.
Worldly pursuits are a distraction
In his homily, Bishop Odoki warned that many people let worldly distractions replace God, thus depriving society of genuine peace.
“Idols take away our minds from the true God. God becomes secondary while other things take priority in our lives,” the bishop said.
He listed money, wealth, power, social media, artificial intelligence, prestige, excessive pursuit of comfort, alcohol abuse, and obsession with physical appearance as modern idols affecting society today.
Peace is a gift of the Holy Spirit
Bishop Odoki said peace can flourish only when people put God first and live by the Holy Spirit’s gifts and fruits.
“The gift of the Holy Spirit should help us to promote peace. If peace is becoming a challenge, then it means we are not putting the fruits of the Holy Spirit into practice,” he said.
The bishop explained that the Eucharistic celebration marked the conclusion of the Prayer and Peace week but was also a commissioning of peace pilgrims to go out as messengers of peace to the world. He said the Mass of the Holy Spirit was intentionally chosen so that the Spirit of God would accompany the mission of peace entrusted to all participants.
Uganda needs peaceful communities
Reflecting on the state of the country, Bishop Odoki observed that many people lack inner peace and are living with growing discontent.
He encouraged Ugandans to promote dialogue, respect human rights, uphold democracy, and reject violence to build peaceful communities.
He urged Christians to fight corruption, tribalism, favouritism, and poverty, observing that these vices undermine harmony and development in society.
Citing the Gospel of the day, Bishop Odoki said Jesus commands believers to love one another, making love the foundation of peace.
Missionaries of peace to your communities
Concluding Prayer and Peace Week, Bishop Odoki thanked individuals, local leaders, government officials, and well-wishers for their financial support and contributions to the week’s success.
“Return home as missionaries of peace and apply the knowledge gained during this week-long gathering,” Bishop Odoki said before the final blessing.
