By THE INDEPENDENT UG
Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Archbishop Emeritus John Baptist Odama has pledged to continue promoting peaceful existence and dialogue among communities within and outside the Acholi Sub-region during his retirement.
His statement comes days after retiring as the first Metropolitan Archbishop of Gulu, where he served for 25 years since his ordination on April 10, 1999. Archbishop Emeritus Odama will be replaced by Rt. Rev. Raphael p’Mony Wokorach, who was appointed by Pope Francis on Friday, March 22. Until his appointment, the 63-year-old prelate was the Bishop of Nebbi Catholic Diocese.
Speaking to Uganda Radio Network in an interview over the weekend, Archbishop Emeritus Odama noted that throughout his tenure as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Gulu, his life centered on peace promotion. He notes that while he has retired from active leadership as an Archbishop, he will continue advocating for peaceful coexistence within the country and the neighboring war-torn South Sudan.
According to Archbishop Odama, his passion for peace promotion led him, along with other religious leaders, to advocate for the initiation of peace talks between the Ugandan government and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel commander Joseph Kony.
The LRA rebels, led by their elusive leader Kony, waged a two-decade bloody rebellion against President Museveni’s government from 1986, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands of people and the displacement of over 1 million others.
Between 2006 and 2008, under the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative (ARLPI), Odama acted as an adviser and observer of the Juba peace talks, in which the government and LRA delegations held a back-and-forth dialogue on ending conflicts.
Although Kony failed to sign the Juba peace pact, Odama, who headed ARLPI as Chairperson from 2002 to 2010, says their efforts ushered in peace in the sub-region.
Owing to his efforts in the restoration of peace in Northern Uganda, Archbishop Emeritus Odama was awarded the Peacemaker Prize accolade from World Vision International in 2012. Similarly, in 2017, Gulu University awarded Odama an honorary Doctor of Philosophy for his outstanding role in the restoration of peace.
Following his retirement on Friday, some laity members at Gulu Archdiocese, however, expressed concern over the appointment of a non-native as the Archbishop of Gulu.
Matthew Simon Ojok, the Chairperson of the Laity at Gulu Archdiocese, told Uganda Radio Network that they had anticipated a son of the soil would be appointed as the metropolitan Archbishop of Gulu this time.
Archbishop Emeritus Odama, however, called for calm among the Christians, arguing that the appointing authorities focused on merit to select a new Archbishop for Gulu.
He also noted that while many expected him to continue leading, he sought resignation after reaching the 75-year age limit according to Canon law.
Odama, now 76 years old, wrote his resignation letter to His Holiness Pope Francis in 2022 upon turning 75, but it was only granted on March 22 this year.
Archbishop Odama will, in the meantime, take on a new role as the Apostolic Administrator of Gulu Archdiocese until the Pope sets a date for the installation of the new Metropolitan Archbishop, Rt. Rev Wokorach.
About Odama’s Priesthood Journey
Archbishop Emeritus Odama was ordained a priest on December 14, 1974. On February 23, 1996, he was appointed the Bishop of Nebbi Diocese and later ordained on May 26, 1996.
On January 2, 1999, Odama was appointed the first Metropolitan Archbishop of Gulu, where he served for 25 years until his retirement on March 22 of this year.
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