Adjumani’s Pakele catholic parish celebrates 75 years

Adjumani | The 75th anniversary of Pakele Parish was a historic occasion, attended by the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda and the Bishop of Arua Diocese. 

The event brought together a vibrant community of Christians to reflect on their common history and faith.

As the Apostolic Nuncio arrived, the parishioners greeted him warmly, expressing their joy and gratitude for his presence. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as the community gathered in front of the newly renovated church to commemorate their faith journey over the last 75 years.

The Bishop of Arua, known for his pastoral leadership, also took part in the celebrations, emphasizing the value of unity and spiritual development.

The festivities included a solemn Eucharistic celebration, during which the Nuncio delivered inspirational homilies. He spoke about the significance of the parish in the broader context of the Church in Uganda and encouraged the faithful to continue their commitment to service, charity, and community building.

The nuncio, as a representative of the Pope, played an important role in the 75th anniversary celebrations of Pakele Parish. During this special event, he administered the sacrament of confirmation to 240 candidates, marking a turning point in their spiritual journey.

“The celebration of the 75 years is a very important element for our Christian life and our faith, I am also happy that some couples celebrated the sacrament of marriage,” the nuncio said.

Following the confirmation, the nuncio presided over three couples’ wedding ceremonies, celebrating their commitment to one another in the context of the Church.

This dual aspect of the celebration highlighted the parish’s rich tapestry of faith, combining themes of personal spiritual growth and communal love.

The event would have been filled with joy, music, and a sense of community as parishioners gathered to witness both confirmations and weddings.

The nuncio’s involvement not only emphasized the importance of the sacraments, but also linked the local parish community to the larger Church, symbolizing faith continuity across generations.

This celebration was a memorable event for everyone involved, commemorating both individual milestones and a collective legacy within the parish.

During the celebration, Lukia Isanga Nakadama, the third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio, delivered a powerful speech emphasizing the country’s need for peace and development.

She emphasized the significant progress made over the years in terms of maintaining peace and promoting growth. Deputy Prime Minister Nakadama spoke passionately about the importance of continuing efforts to promote peace and stability, emphasizing that sustainable development is only possible in a peaceful environment.

She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful and prosperous future for all citizens, while also encouraging unity and cooperation.

“It is not an easy thing to celebrate 75 years if there is no peace, this church has given birth to many other churches. On this note, I want to thank the leadership of the church for bringing the church services nearer to the people,” the minister said.

James Mamawi, Member of Parliament for Adjumani East, pledged to work with the religious priest and other religious leaders to promote regional unity.

Jesca Ababiku, the Adjumani district woman Member of Parliament, praised the Palaro chiefdom for welcoming missionaries to the Madi sub-region, which has helped to increase faith.

Throughout the day, there were cultural performances, fundraising activities, testimonials from long-time parishioners, and a sense of community that highlighted the community members’ deep bonds.

The celebration not only honored the past but also looked ahead to the future, with hopes for continued growth and strength in faith.

Pakele began in 1928 as a stable chapel (outstation) under the Moyo Catholic Parish in Pereci. According to official records, Pakele Catholic Parish was established in 1949 as the second parish in the Madi subregion.

It was formed from Moyo Parish, which was previously part of the Gulu Diocese but was now known as the Apostolic Vicariate of Equatorial Nile.