Bishop Wanok Launches Synodal Way During Pastoral Visit to UTC Chapel, Lira.

In his address, the bishop expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and invited all present to reflect deeply on the Word of God as both a message and a path for the Church today.

By Fr. Isaac Ojok, Communications Office, Lira Diocese

The Bishop of Lira Diocese, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok on Sunday 19th April 2026 made a pastoral visit to UTC Chapel, a community under St. Jude Sub-Parish, Ojwina. The visit marked a significant moment of encounter with the faithful and the official launch of the Synodal Way in the community.

In his address, the bishop expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and invited all present to reflect deeply on the Word of God as both a message and a path for the Church today.

Drawing from the Gospel account of the journey to Emmaus, he highlighted how the two disciples, discouraged and disheartened, encountered the Risen Christ walking alongside them, even though they did not immediately recognize Him. This, he explained, is the foundation of the synodal journey: the assurance that Christ walks with His people. “We are not walking alone,” he emphasized.

The bishop described the Synodal Way as a movement from isolation to communion, from discouragement to renewed mission, and from individual paths to a shared journey. He encouraged the faithful to reflect on whether their communities truly walk together, listen to one another, and include those who may feel left out.

A central theme of the message was the importance of listening. Just as Jesus first listened to the disciples on the road, the Church today is called to become a listening Church. The bishop underscored that listening is not a weakness but a divine way of engaging with others, especially those who feel forgotten or unheard.

He further stressed that the journey must remain firmly rooted in the Word of God. Referencing the proclamation of Peter in the Acts of the Apostles, he reminded the congregation that truth, not opinion, must guide the Church. The Scriptures, he noted, bring clarity, direction, and renewal, just as they caused the hearts of the disciples to “burn within them.”

The Eucharist was presented as the heart of the synodal journey. It was in the breaking of the bread that the disciples recognized Christ. In the same way, the Church today encounters Him most fully in the Eucharistic celebration. Without returning to the altar, the bishop cautioned, the journey remains incomplete.

The message culminated in a call to mission. Like the disciples who immediately returned to Jerusalem to share the Good News, the faithful are called to become witnesses of the Resurrection. The Synodal Way, he explained, is not only about walking together and listening, but also about being sent forth with purpose and joy.

Offering practical guidance, the bishop encouraged families to pray and listen to one another, parishes to foster active participation and inclusivity, and Church leaders to embrace humility and collaboration. All the faithful were urged to remain close to the Word of God, faithful to the Eucharist, and ready to bear witness in their daily lives.

He concluded by reminding the congregation that the Synodal Way is not a new invention but a rediscovery of the Church’s earliest experience, Christ walking with His people, hearts set ablaze by the Word, eyes opened in the Eucharist, and lives transformed for mission.

The celebration ended with a prayerful invitation echoing the words of the disciples: “Stay with us, Lord.” With Christ at the center, the Church continues its journey as a community of communion, participation, and mission.

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