Archbishop Emeritus James Odongo of Tororo passes on aged 89

 

TORORO BEREAVED: Archbishop Emeritus James Odongo died today.

Burial – James Odongo Arch.Emeritus Tororo
Dec 6 – Requiem Mass Lubaga Cathedral 3.30pm
Dec 7 – Body St. Austin, Mbale 3pm
Dec 8 – Requiem Mass St Austin 12.00pm
Dec 8 – Body Cathedral Tororo 4pm
Dec 9 – Mass of Christian burial Uganda Martyrs Cathedral Tororo 12pm

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Archbishop Emeritus of Tororo James Odongo, 89, has passed on today at Nsambya Hospital. Uganda Episcopal Conference Secretary-General Msgr John Baptist  Kauta has confirmed.

James Odongo was the fourth African Bishop in Uganda and the first African Bishop of Tororo Diocese.

He was also the first African chair of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), a position he held twice.

James Odongo and his twin brother, the late Fr Alfred Opio, were born on March 27, 1931 in Molo village, 19km along the Tororo-Mbale road in then Bukedi district. His farther Gabriel Omunyin was a catechist of Nagongera Parish, while mother Rosalina Nyachwo was a farm worker.

In 2015 he celebrated his 84th anniversary of his birth and the 59th anniversary of his momentous priestly ministry.

He was ordained priest in Rome in 1956 and retired as Archbishop in 2007, having served as a priest for 51 years and, as a Bishop for 43 years, 39 of which he was Bishop of Tororo.

2017: Archbishop Odongo (Odongo) with King of the Jopadhola Kwar Adhola Moses Owor, greet Prof Charles Olweny, Chancellor of Mbarara University

FAMOUS QUOTES 

 ARCHBISHOP JAMES ODONGO: Education without God produces clever devils.

 ARCHBISHOP JAMES ODONGO: It has been a long and weary road; strength and courage sometimes failed, but there was no giving up. I drew from the following reflection: I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something; What I can do, I ought to do; and what I ought to do, I will do. ****************  Archbishop Odongo at the 50th anniversary of this priesthood in 2006

 ARCHBISHOP JAMES ODONGO: Whenever I am interviewed, meeting people or in conversations, one of the common questions often asked is: “As an elder what legacy do you leave for the people of Tororo Archdiocese?”

In response, my memory often flashes back to one of my favorite sayings from H.G Wells: “The test of greatness is: What did the person leave to grow? By this test Jesus stands first.”

 ARCHBISHOP JAMES ODONGO:Legacy refers to a situation that exists because of things that happened earlier. It is not easy to sum up the many past events of one’s life and anticipate a repeat. That would tantamount to assuming the role of a prophet who is able to tell the past and forecast the future.

If legacy includes the past, then, I can happily provide some hints on my life and contribution to the development of the Church in Tororo Archdiocese. Whatever I did I was inspired by the words of St. Augustine: “Together with you, I am Christian; but for you I am a Bishop.”

 

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