By Fr. Isaac Ojok, Communications Office, Lira Diocese
Lira, Uganda- December 27, 2025
The Bishop of Lira Diocese, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok has called on Christians to continue living out the spirit of mercy, compassion, and family unity even after the closure of the Jubilee Year of Mercy.
In a media statement issued ahead of the official closure of the Jubilee Holy Door on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Uganda Martyrs’ Cathedral, Lira, Bishop Wanok emphasized that while the Holy Door may close, the mission it represents must continue in the lives of believers.
“The Holy Door was opened so that hearts could open towards God and towards one another,” the Bishop said, noting that the Jubilee Year was meant to inspire lasting conversion rather than a temporary religious moment.
Reflecting on the Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth, which will be celebrated during the closure ceremony, Bishop Wanok pointed to the Gospel image of the Holy Family as one marked not by comfort but by movement, sacrifice, and trust in God. He highlighted Saint Joseph’s obedience and courage in protecting life amid uncertainty as a powerful lesson for families today.
“This reminds us that God walks with families under pressure, those facing poverty, insecurity, displacement, and fear,” he said.
The Bishop underscored that the Jubilee Year renewed the Church’s focus on the family as the “first school of holiness,” stressing that respect, care for parents, forgiveness, and love within the home are essential foundations for both Church and society.
Quoting Saint Paul, (Colosians 3:12-21), Bishop Wanok reminded Christians that true Christian identity is shown through virtues such as compassion, humility, patience, forgiveness, and love, which he described as the lasting fruits of the Holy Year.
“As we close the Holy Door, we open a new chapter,” he said. “We are sent out, not to remain behind doors, but to walk together as a synodal Church, protecting life, strengthening families, and witnessing mercy in our communities.”
Bishop Wanok concluded by urging believers to ensure that the “door of mercy” remains open in their hearts, homes, and across the nation, even after the Jubilee celebrations end.
The closure ceremony will take place on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Uganda Martyrs’ Cathedral Lira and is expected to draw clergy, religious leaders, and faithful from across the diocese.
He ended his message by wishing the faithful a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2026.
Bishop Wanok helps an elderly guest wash her hands.
By Flavia Oyuu, Communications Office, Lira Diocese
As many families marked Christmas in the warmth of their homes, more than 500 vulnerable people, who might otherwise have spent the day alone, found family, dignity, and hope at a special celebration organized by the Sant’Egidio Community in Lira.
The celebration, held at the Apostolic Social Centre, brought together people who are blind, persons with disabilities, former leprosy patients, the elderly, people living with HIV/AIDS, and others facing various hardships. The participants marked the birth of Jesus Christ through a shared meal, gift-giving, and moments of fellowship.
Opening the ceremony, the Lira Sant’Egidio Community Coordinator, Janet Akite, emphasized the organization’s mission of solidarity with the poor.
“As Sant’Egidio, we aim to bring together the needy on such a special day to celebrate Christmas in the spirit of Jesus’ teachings,” Akite said.
She noted that many of the beneficiaries often lack companionship and basic necessities, making such gatherings crucial in restoring dignity, fostering a sense of family, and offering tangible support through meals and presents.
Bishop Wanok feeds one of the guests at the Christmas lunch
The event was also graced by the Bishop of Lira Diocese, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok, who praised the Sant’Egidio leadership for their unwavering commitment to uplifting the marginalized.
“I commend the tireless efforts of Sant’Egidio in comforting and standing with the needy in our communities,” Bishop Wanok said.
During the celebration, Bishop Wanok announced the renewal of Janet Akite’s term as coordinator for another five years, ensuring continuity in the community’s mission and leadership.
Founded in 1968 at the Church of Sant’Egidio in Rome’s Trastevere district by a group of high school students led by Andrea Riccardi, the Community of Sant’Egidio has grown into a global movement. Today, it operates in over 70 countries, promoting peace, solidarity with the poor, and interfaith dialogue.
This Christmas season, the organization is hosting festive lunches for more than 250,000 people worldwide, reflecting its commitment to inclusivity and care for the most vulnerable.
The Lira celebration stands as a powerful reminder of the impact of community-driven charity, offering not only material support but also hope, dignity, and a sense of belonging to those often forgotten.
By Flavia Oyuu, Communications Office, Lira Diocese
The Bishop of Lira Diocese, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok, has emphasized the Sacrament of Matrimony as a fundamental pillar of Christian identity that demands equal commitment, mutual responsibility, and unwavering faith from married couples.
The Bishop made these remarks on Saturday while conferring the Sacrament of Matrimony to twelve couples at St. Peter Cleaver Ober Catholic Parish in Lira City. Addressing the newly wedded couples and the wider Christian community, Bishop Wanok reminded them that matrimony is not merely a social or cultural arrangement, but a sacred covenant instituted by God and sealed through the Church.
He urged couples who enter into this sacrament to guard it faithfully and to live their married life according to the Gospel teachings of Jesus Christ. Drawing inspiration from the Holy Family of Nazareth, Mary and Joseph, the Bishop called upon couples to nurture love, patience, prayer, and self-sacrifice within their families, noting that these virtues form the foundation of a stable Christian home.
Rt. Rev. Wanok further highlighted that love rooted in the Sacrament of Matrimony should foster unity, peace, and reconciliation, particularly during this Jubilee Year of Peace. He encouraged couples to embrace forgiveness, dialogue, and mutual understanding, describing them as essential pillars for overcoming challenges and sustaining harmony in Christian families.
The Bishop also reminded the faithful that strong families contribute to a strong Church and society, stressing that Christian marriages should be a living testimony of God’s love to the world.
Meanwhile, the Parish Priest of St. Peter Cleaver Ober Catholic Parish, Rev. Fr. Vincent Orum AJ—who also serves as the Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator, called upon parishioners who have not yet solemnized their marriages in church to take the step of regularizing their unions and receiving the Sacrament of Matrimony. He emphasized that the sacrament strengthens families spiritually and aligns them fully with the teachings of the Church.
As part of his ongoing pastoral visit to the parish, Bishop Wanok is scheduled to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to 190 Christians on Sunday, 21 December 2025. The confirmation ceremony will mark the conclusion of his pastoral visit, further reinforcing spiritual growth, faith formation, and commitment among the Christian faithful of Ober Catholic Parish.
By Flavia Oyuu, Communications Office, Lira Diocese
The Bishop of Lira Diocese, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok, has said that Christmas offers the nation its most important preparation for peaceful, free, and fair elections, calling on Ugandans to allow Christ to first transform their hearts before seeking political change.
The Bishop made the remarks in his Christmas message to the Curia during the End of Year Mass held at the Diocesan Offices, Daniel Comboni, Bar Ogole.
He said that as Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the country is also entering a sensitive civic period ahead of the coming elections, a moment that calls for deep listening to the Word of God and honest examination of faith and conscience.
Bishop Wanok said Christmas reminds believers that Uganda belongs to God and that every citizen carries a responsibility to ensure elections are conducted in freedom, fairness, friendship, and love.
Reflecting on the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, the Bishop said the birth of Christ reveals a God who chooses to journey quietly with His people not through force, intimidation, or raw power, but through humility, faithfulness, and closeness to humanity.
Bishop Wanok and the Social Communications Secretary Lira Diocese, Rev Fr Isaac Ojok pose for a photo with journalists
He noted that the humility of God, often mistaken by the world as weakness or foolishness, is in fact His greatest strength, one that changes hearts before changing structures.
Drawing from Matthew’s Gospel, Bishop Wanok highlighted the example of Joseph, whom Scripture describes simply as “a just man.” Faced with fear, confusion, and uncertainty, Joseph chose what was right before God, refusing to harm, shame, or act out of anger toward Mary.
The Bishop said Joseph’s response teaches society that righteousness is often expressed through quiet discernment, prayer, and a willingness to listen to God before reacting in anger or fear. By protecting life in a moment of uncertainty, Joseph offers a model for personal and national leadership.
Turning to Luke’s Gospel, Bishop Wanok reflected on Mary’s Magnificat, describing it as a proclamation of courageous faith. He said Mary trusted God to lift up the lowly and to judge history with justice and mercy, without inciting hatred or violence.
The Bishop said the leadership of Joseph and Mary, beginning within the family, offers a powerful lesson for leadership in the nation, leadership grounded in humility, faith, and trust in God rather than aggression or intimidation.
Speaking on the meaning of Christmas for society, Bishop Wanok emphasized respect for the poor and the youth, noting that young people are searching for direction as they learn from the past and navigate the present. He warned that no person should ever be exploited because of poverty, frustration, or vulnerability.
He said the buying of votes through money or material inducements is incompatible with the dignity of the human person, stressing that no amount of money can purchase a person’s right or conscience.
The Bishop cautioned against leaders who spread hatred, division, and confusion, saying such behavior is a clear sign of destructive leadership. He condemned acts such as tearing down opponents’ posters or inciting quarrels, warning that leaders driven by hatred ultimately destroy both people and the nation.
Bishop Wanok reaffirmed that the Church, during Christmas and beyond, must remain a space of peace. He said all Church institutions, including churches, schools, and hospitals must remain non-partisan, welcoming all people regardless of political affiliation.
“For the Church,” he said, “every human being must find a place of prayer, guidance, reconciliation, and healing.”
He added that Christianity and Islam alike are rooted in peace, reminding the faithful that Christ is the Prince of Peace and that religion, understood as humanity’s attachment to God, must always lead to peace rather than division.
Turning to the local Church, Bishop Wanok said the people of Lira Diocese and the wider Lango Sub-region are called to a renewed commitment to peace, unity, and hospitality, welcoming all people regardless of origin, belief, or background.
Bishop Wanok joins some of the Curia members for a photo moment earlier in the day
Mindful of the region’s history and the wounds caused by past conflicts, the Bishop said the Diocese is recommitting itself to healing and solidarity through Caritas, sharing resources and building peace within families, Small Christian Communities, and parishes.
He urged the faithful to focus on preparing their hearts and homes to receive Christ, noting that true discernment including choosing leaders must be done in prayer, silence, and sobriety.
Bishop Wanok warned against noise, drunkenness, and reckless behavior, saying Christ did not come amid chaos but in humility and quietness. He encouraged believers to imitate Joseph and Mary by waiting in prayer, minimizing quarrels, rejecting violence, and protecting one another.
He concluded by praying that the birth of Christ may renew the nation with truth, humility, and hope, and extended his Christmas and New Year wishes to the people of Lira Diocese, the Lango Sub-region, and Uganda at large.
By Fr. Isaac Ojok, Communications Office, Lira Diocese
After a spiritually uplifting and fruitful one-week pastoral visit to Our Lady of Mercy Alito Catholic Parish in Kole District, the Bishop of Lira Diocese, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok is set to embark on another sacred mission, a three-day pastoral visit to St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish, Agweng.
During his time in Alito, the Bishop walked closely with the people of God, sharing in their joys, hopes, and struggles. He met leaders at various levels of society, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to hundreds of faithful, and erected three new Eucharistic Centers, a powerful symbol of the Church’s growing presence in the region. He presided over holy Matrimony, visited health facilities, learning institutions, and spent precious time with numerous associations and spiritual movements, offering words of encouragement, hope, and fatherly love.
From Alito, he now turns his gaze northward to Agweng, a parish that was carved out of Alito in 2018. It is a community still healing from the scars of past conflict, yet one that continues to shine with unwavering faith and resilience.
The Bishop’s visit to Agweng will begin on Friday, 26th September 2025, with his arrival at the Parish headquarters. That day, he will meet with key leaders, Catechists, the Parish Pastoral Council, professionals, businessmen and women, cultural leaders, and local politicians. These gatherings are expected to foster deep dialogue on pastoral and community matters, as the Bishop listens, guides, and blesses his flock.
After a day of meaningful engagement, the Bishop will retire to rest, preparing spiritually for the days ahead. On Saturday, 27th September, he will preside over a solemn Eucharistic celebration at Ogur Central Eucharistic Centre, where he will administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to 220 Christians from the zones of Ogur and Coorom. It will be a profound moment of grace as these faithful receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the presence of their shepherd.
On Sunday, 28th September, Bishop Wanok will journey to Agak Chapel, where another 246 candidates from the zones of Agak, Agweng, and Aromo will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, marking a total of 466 new soldiers for Christ sealed in faith.
Rev. Fr. Alfred Okello Snr., the devoted Parish Priest of St. Joseph Catholic Parish, Agweng, shared that the faithful are in a state of joyful anticipation.
Fr. Okello further disclosed that preparations have reached their peak. The Christians have been diligently prepared through the dedicated efforts of priests, catechists, and other pastoral agents within the parish. The community is ready, body, mind, and spirit, to receive the grace of this pastoral visit.
Located 28 kilometers north of Lira City along Kitgum Road, Agweng Parish stands as a testament to faith reborn from suffering. Once deeply wounded by the insurgency of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), the region now clings steadfastly to the hope and healing offered by Christ and His Church.
As Bishop Sanctus Lino Wanok makes his way to Agweng, he carries with him not just the authority of his office but the tender heart of a shepherd, ready to comfort, strengthen, and bless the flock entrusted to his care.
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