By Fr. Isaac Ojok, Communications Office, Lira Diocese
Rome, Italy — 23 October 2026. The Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok, Bishop of Lira Diocese, is currently attending a conference in Rome organized by Jesus Youth. The gathering, which began early this week, is expected to conclude later this week, bringing together participants for prayer, fellowship, reflection, and the sharing of experiences in faith and evangelization.
During his participation in the conference, Bishop Wanok conveyed his heartfelt message and special greetings to the clergy, religious, and all the Christians of Lira Diocese. He extended his warm wishes to the faithful, reaffirming his spiritual closeness and pastoral commitment to the people entrusted to his care.
The Bishop’s participation in this international gathering underscores the importance of communion, collaboration, and the exchange of pastoral experiences in strengthening the mission of the Church. It also provides an opportunity to reflect on the Church’s continuing call to walk together in faith, guided by the Gospel and the Holy Spirit.
Emphasizing the importance of synodality, the gathering offers a valuable opportunity to renew the Church’s commitment to listening, dialogue, participation, and shared responsibility in its mission of evangelization. Synodality calls on all members of the Church—clergy, religious, and lay faithful—to journey together, listen to one another with humility, discern the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and work collaboratively in building a more united and mission-oriented Church.
As Bishop Wanok joins fellow participants in Rome, his message to the faithful of Lira Diocese serves as a reminder that the Church’s mission is strengthened through unity, mutual understanding, and active participation by all the baptized. His greetings further reaffirm the enduring spiritual bond between the Bishop and the diocesan community, even as he takes part in this important international gathering.
The faithful of Lira Diocese are encouraged to keep Bishop Wanok and all the conference participants in their prayers, asking the Lord to guide their deliberations and inspire the Church’s mission of communion, participation, and evangelization.
May the Lord continue to guide Bishop Wanok in his pastoral ministry and bless the entire Christian community of Lira Diocese with faith, unity, peace, and a renewed commitment to walking together as one people of God
The launch, held at Lira Cathedral Parish Ordination Grounds, brought together men and Christians from parishes across the Diocese, members of the Women’s Guild, clergy and other faithful. The Bishop led participants in a short run to mark the beginning of the campaign.
By Flavia Oyuu, Communications Office, Lira Diocese
The Bishop of Lira Diocese, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok, has called on stakeholders and members of the public to support efforts to acquire equipment for the early detection of prostate cancer, warning that the disease continues to threaten men’s health and family wellbeing.
Bishop Wanok made the appeal on Thursday, October 15, 2026, during the launch of the Lira Diocese Men’s Run, an initiative organised by the Catholic Men’s Guild to promote prostate cancer awareness, encourage early screening and mobilise resources towards improving access to diagnosis.
The launch, held at Lira Cathedral Parish Ordination Grounds, brought together men and Christians from parishes across the Diocese, members of the Women’s Guild, clergy and other faithful. The Bishop led participants in a short run to mark the beginning of the campaign.
The launch also featured the unveiling of the Men’s Run kit, with Bishop Wanok presented with the event’s green and yellow running outfit. Members of the Men’s Guild, dressed in their green shirts and brown trousers, also showcased the Guild’s uniform, highlighting the identity of the movement behind the initiative.
Bishop Wanok said the initiative seeks to raise funds to acquire equipment that would enable earlier detection of prostate cancer, particularly for men who cannot afford the cost of screening at existing facilities.
He noted that screening costs, which he estimated at between UGX 80,000 and UGX 100,000, remain beyond the reach of many families, forcing some men to seek medical attention only when the disease has advanced.
“Our aim is to get some machines to our hospital and to collect some money,” the Bishop said, emphasising the need to make early detection more accessible.
He called on men across the Lango sub-region to seek medical advice and establish their prostate health status, regardless of their religious affiliation.
Bishop Wanok also appealed to stakeholders who had received invitations, as well as others who had not been reached, to support the campaign, describing the fight against prostate cancer as an urgent intervention for the wellbeing of families and communities.
The Bishop further linked men’s health to family stability and development, saying that men and women both have an important role in building healthy families.
“If men are not there, the family is not balanced. And if women are not there, the family is not there,” he said, calling for continued investment in health initiatives that benefit both men and women.
He urged the public to support the campaign through prayer, participation and financial contributions, with the ultimate goal of enabling more men aged 40 and above to access screening.
Men’s Guild Calls for Broad Participation
Jimmy Bongo, the Coordinator of the Catholic Men’s Guild in Lira Diocese, said the movement seeks to strengthen Christian men’s formation through the patronage of St Joseph while providing a platform for fellowship, learning and mutual support.
He explained that the Men’s Run would bring men together to learn from one another, build relationships and strengthen their participation in the Church, while also contributing to the broader goal of promoting men’s health.
Bongo called on people from different religious backgrounds and all sections of society to participate in the event, emphasising that the campaign was not limited to Catholic men.
“We are calling all people of God, all faith, whether Catholic, all Christians to join, the Muslims, and even our mothers,” he said.
He added that women, children, young people and other stakeholders were welcome to participate, recognising their contribution to families and society.
The Men’s Run, he said, would provide an opportunity for participants to unite around a common cause while promoting fraternity, solidarity and healthier communities.
Health Official Warns Against Delayed Screening
Hillary Okello, the HIV Focal Point Person for Lira City, expressed concern over the burden of prostate cancer among men in Uganda, calling for increased awareness, early detection and timely treatment.
Citing research, Okello said prostate cancer accounts for between 11 and 30 per cent of cancers affecting men in Uganda.
He identified cultural barriers, fear and stigma as some of the challenges that prevent men from seeking screening and medical advice.
According to Okello, many men wait until they experience complications before seeking medical attention, potentially delaying diagnosis and access to appropriate care.
He urged men, particularly those aged between 40 and 60, to seek medical advice about prostate cancer screening and embrace regular health check-ups.
His message reinforced the central objective of the Men’s Run: encouraging men to take greater responsibility for their health and seek medical guidance before symptoms become severe.
A Run for Healthier Families
The launch also featured a lively exchange between representatives of men and women during a mini-talk show moderated by one of the event’s masters of ceremonies.
The discussion centred on complaints that some men abandon their family responsibilities, prompting a heated debate between the two sides and leaving Bishop Wanok in stitches.
The exchange added a light-hearted but thought-provoking dimension to the event, bringing family responsibility into a campaign centred on men’s wellbeing and their contribution to family life.
The Bishop subsequently led participants in a short run, symbolising the beginning of the initiative’s activities ahead of the main event.
The Lira Diocese Men’s Run 2026, held under the theme “Run in Faith, Serve in Strength”, draws inspiration from 1 Corinthians 9:24 and seeks to bring people together in support of men’s health while strengthening solidarity across the Diocese and the wider community.
The main run is scheduled for Friday, November 27, 2026, at Lira Cathedral Parish Ordination Grounds. The date was changed from November 28 to avoid a clash with the national cleaning day.
The Men’s Guild is calling on men, women, young people, Christians of different denominations, Muslims and other well-wishers to participate and support the campaign.
Through the initiative, Lira Diocese hopes to turn public awareness and community participation into practical support for early prostate cancer detection, helping more men access screening and protecting the health of families across the Lango sub-region.
In his homily, Bishop Wanok described the Sacrament of Confirmation as a deeper connection between Christians and God, comparing the Christian life to a mobile phone that must be connected and charged in order to fulfil its purpose.
By Flavia Oyuu, Communications Office, Lira Diocese
Ngetta, September 9, 2026 — St. Peter Claver Ngetta Catholic Parish has marked 96 years of Catholic faith with the Confirmation of 584 Christians, as the parish looks ahead to its centenary celebration in 2030.
The celebrations took place on Wednesday, September 9, during the Solemnity of St. Peter Claver, the patron saint of Ngetta Parish, bringing together hundreds of Christians for the annual Parish Day celebration presided over by the Bishop of Lira Diocese, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok.
In his homily, Bishop Wanok described the Sacrament of Confirmation as a deeper connection between Christians and God, comparing the Christian life to a mobile phone that must be connected and charged in order to fulfil its purpose.
“Just like a telephone without charging, without a SIM card and without money in the SIM card is good for nothing, we too need to be charged by God,” the Bishop explained.
He said Baptism and Confirmation, through the coming of the Holy Spirit, enable Christians to become more deeply connected to God and equipped to communicate His love to others.
Bishop Wanok urged the newly confirmed and the wider Christian community to open their hearts to the Holy Spirit so that they may be transformed and become true disciples and missionaries.
He said the coming of the Holy Spirit should open the “locked doors” in people’s hearts, particularly those created by anger, fear and divisions that prevent people from connecting with one another.
The Bishop encouraged Christians to allow the Holy Spirit to drive out fear and renew them for mission, reminding them that Confirmation is not simply a ceremony but a call to Christian witness.
He further urged the newly confirmed to remain firm in their Catholic faith and to use the gifts they have received through the Holy Spirit responsibly.
Ngetta Parish Priest, Fr. Constanz Opiyo MCCJ
Ngetta looks towards 100 years
The Parish Day also marked an important milestone in the history of Ngetta Parish, which was established in 1930 and is recognised as the mother parish of Lira Diocese.
Welcoming Bishop Wanok and the faithful, Ngetta Parish Priest, Fr. Constanz Opiyo MCCJ, said the parish was grateful to God for sustaining its Christian journey for 96 years.
“We remain with just four years to celebrate 100 years of faith,” Fr. Opiyo said, noting that the preparations for the centenary had already begun.
According to the parish history, the first mission in Lango was established at Ngetta in 1930, following the transfer of the mission from the Mill Hill Fathers to the Comboni Missionaries.
The mission was officially handed over to the Comboni Missionaries on April 30, 1930, and was placed under the patronage of St. Peter Claver.
Fr. Opiyo said the centenary preparations began in 2024 with annual fundraising initiatives aimed at strengthening the parish’s infrastructure and supporting its development.
In 2024, the fundraising focused on renovating the parish hall, while the 2025 fundraising supported its completion.
This year, each chapel has been encouraged to undertake fundraising to develop its own facilities, while the parish continues with other initiatives aimed at improving its infrastructure.
Fr. Opiyo said the parish still has several buildings and facilities requiring renovation and used the Parish Day to present mattresses and other gifts donated by Christians.
He explained that the mattresses were intended to replace old ones used by catechumens and participants in parish programmes.
“We still have a lot to do. We have a plan of how we want the parish to look like and every year we are working towards that,” he said.
A legacy of missionary faith
As Ngetta prepares for its centenary, Fr. Opiyo also called on Christians to remember and emulate the missionaries who laid the foundation of the Catholic faith in the area.
He highlighted the missionary example of St. Peter Claver, who devoted his life to serving enslaved people in Cartagena, Colombia, ministering to their physical and spiritual needs and defending their human dignity.
Fr. Opiyo said the saint’s missionary courage provides an important example for Christians as Ngetta prepares to celebrate a century of faith.
He urged the faithful to appreciate the contribution of the many missionaries who served in the area, including those who remained buried within the communities where they ministered.
“We pray that we may emulate their example of faith and the courage to go out on mission,” he said.
584 confirmed as Ngetta Parish makes 96 years of Faith
584 confirmed for the future of the Church
The Laity Coordinator of Ngetta Parish, Geofrey Norah Okello, thanked God for guiding the parish since its establishment in 1930 and described the Confirmation of 584 children as another significant milestone in its journey of faith.
Okello encouraged the newly confirmed to take seriously the responsibility that comes with receiving the Holy Spirit and to remain committed to their Catholic faith.
He said the young Christians should allow the Holy Spirit to guide their lives and avoid actions that could destroy their future, so that they can grow into responsible members and future leaders of the Church.
He also thanked the Parish Council, Parish Priest, deacons, religious and Christians for contributing to the success of the Parish Day.
Okello said the Parish Council remains committed to working under the guidance of the Parish Priest to promote both the spiritual growth and development of Ngetta Parish.
He also presented a request from Christians of St. John Bosco Acwau Chapel, asking for the chapel to be elevated to a Eucharistic Centre.
The Christians said the elevation would bring Mass and other Eucharistic celebrations closer to them, given their location within Lira City and the distance to Iwor and Abongo Den.
As Ngetta Parish continues its journey towards 100 years of Catholic faith, the celebration brought together its rich missionary heritage, present pastoral growth and renewed focus on preparing the younger generation to carry the faith into the future.
Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok meeting with priests and pastoral council leaders from all parishes under Apac Deanery
By Fr. Isaac Ojok, Communications Office, Lira Diocese
Apac Catholic Parish, 1 July 2026 – The Bishop of Lira Diocese, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok, is meeting with priests and pastoral council leaders from all parishes under Apac Deanery as part of his ongoing pastoral visit to the deanery.
In his opening remarks, Bishop Wanok warmly welcomed the participants and expressed his gratitude for their presence and commitment to the life and mission of the Church.
Introducing the theme of his pastoral visit, “Walking Together in Christ: Communion, Participation and Mission for an Eucharist-Centred Community,” the Bishop reflected on the meaning of communion as the foundation of Christian life. He explained that communion begins in the family, where the love between a husband and wife unites them in marriage and, through God’s blessing, brings forth children as precious gifts. He emphasized that this communion is further strengthened and extended through the Sacrament of Baptism, by which every Christian becomes a member of the Body of Christ.
The Bishop encouraged parents to take an active role in nurturing their children’s faith, observing that many families today face challenges that weaken relationships between parents and children. He urged families to create opportunities for children to know God more deeply and to grow in the Christian faith.
Reflecting on the Church’s synodal journey, Bishop Wanok reminded the faithful that through Baptism, every Christian is called to participate in the life and mission of the Church. This participation begins in Small Christian Communities, where believers share their experiences of faith, support one another, and discern together how to live the Gospel more faithfully. He noted that genuine participation can only flourish where there is true communion among God’s people.
“The family that remains united,” the Bishop said, “is inspired by the Holy Spirit to participate actively in the life and mission of the Church according to the gifts God has bestowed upon each member.”
Echoing the image of Christ as the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep, Bishop Wanok encouraged the participants to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit generously in building up the living Body of Christ. He challenged them to reflect on the mission entrusted to every Christian, saying that Christ has called His followers to unite all God’s people and to reach out to those who have not yet come to know Him.
The Eucharist at the Centre of Christian Mission
Bishop Wanok emphasized that the Church’s mission cannot succeed without the Eucharist. He explained that without Christ at the centre, the Church’s mission risks being reduced to material concerns rather than the proclamation of the Gospel.
“The mission entrusted to us draws its strength from the Eucharist,” he said. “Through the Eucharist, we are united with Christ and receive the grace needed to carry out His mission faithfully.”
He also reflected on the unique role of priests, noting that through the sacrament of Holy Orders they act in the person of Christ, consecrating bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, thereby nourishing the faithful spiritually.
Living as a Synodal Church
Explaining the meaning of a synodal Church, Bishop Wanok described it as a Church where God’s people listen attentively to God and to one another, participate according to their different vocations, share responsibility for the Church’s mission, and keep Christ and the Eucharist at the centre of all they do.
Turning to the challenges facing Christian families, the Bishop acknowledged that many marriages experience difficulties that can lead to separation and broken family relationships. He stressed that promoting stable marriages and strong family life is the responsibility of the entire Christian community.
He encouraged the faithful to address these challenges together by walking as one family of God in the spirit of synodality, where mutual listening, shared responsibility, forgiveness, and communion strengthen both families and the wider Church.
The meeting forms part of Bishop Wanok’s pastoral visit to Apac Deanery, aimed at strengthening communion among the faithful, encouraging active participation in the Church’s mission, and renewing commitment to building Eucharist-centred Christian communities throughout the Diocese.
Apac Deanery comprises; Christ the Redeemer Catholic Parish, Apac; Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Alenga; St. Francis of Assisi Sub-Parish, Ayago; Christ the King Parish, Teboke; and St. Joseph’s Parish, Aduku.
This is a developing story. More details from the Bishop’s pastoral visit will follow in subsequent updates.
The Bishop of Lira Diocese, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok, has renewed the Catholic Church’s appeal for the release of individuals detained on political grounds.
While delivering his homily during Easter Mass at Uganda Martyrs Lira Cathedral, Bishop Wanok referenced the 2026 Easter Pastoral Message issued on April 4 at the Uganda Catholic Secretariat. The message highlighted ongoing national concerns, including deaths, injuries, trauma, and the continued detention of some citizens linked to political processes.
The pastoral message was presented by the Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, Bishop Joseph Anthony Zziwa, who called on Ugandans to embrace repentance, forgiveness, and unity.
Echoing this message, Bishop Wanok emphasized that the political season has passed and urged authorities to release political detainees, promote justice, and prioritize peaceful dialogue as a foundation for nation-building in the spirit of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
He noted that Northern Uganda is still healing from the scars of political and tribal divisions, stressing the importance of the upcoming Provincial Prayer Peace Week to be hosted in Lira City. The gathering will bring together participants from West Nile, Acholi, Teso, and Karamoja to foster reconciliation, forgiveness, and lasting peace. Bishop Wanok added that the true spirit of Easter will be demonstrated through local families hosting pilgrims in their homes, rather than in institutions or hotels.
However, the bishop also expressed concern over Uganda’s ranking among countries with high levels of corruption and alcohol abuse. He urged Christians to reflect Christ-like values of love, peace, and self-control.
As Easter symbolize new life and renewal, Bishop Wanok’s message calls on both leaders and citizens to rise above division and injustice, embracing reconciliation, accountability and moral transformation for a more united and peaceful Uganda.
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