By our Reporter,
The Rt. Rev. Pons Ozelle was consecrated and enthroned as the third Bishop of Nebbi Diocese in a colourful ceremony at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Goli on Sunday, January 16, 2022.
The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba presided over the service and thousands of Christians flocked to Goli, as well as many local and international partners.
Equity Bank donated a new cathedra (Bishop’s Chair) for Nebbi Diocese. Archbishop Kaziimba dedicated the cathedra and prayed for the completion of the new Cathedral so the new Bishop could be seated there in the new cathedra (Bishop’s Chair).
In his remarks, Kaziimba congratulated Ozelle on the calling and called upon the christians to support him in his new journey.
“I congratulate my brother Bishop Pons, his dear wife Mama Edna Ozelle and their family on this high calling and wish them God’s blessings as they serve in Nebbi Diocese. I call upon Christians and well wishers of the Diocese to give them the support they need for success,” Kaziimba said.
Kaziimba also thanked Archbishop Emeritus Dr Henry Luke Orombi who has been caretaking as the Bishop of Nebbi Diocese following the death of Bishop Alphonse Wathokudi who died in January last year.
“You exhibited the highest level of leadership and like I said earlier, you are retired but not tired. God still wants to use you,”
The Vice President of Uganda, Jessica Alupo, represented, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
She pledged the support of the government as a development partner and presented a new car to the Bishop donated by Museveni to facilitate Ozelle’s movements in the Diocese.
The Rt. Rev. Professor Alfred Olwa, Bishop of Lango Diocese, preached from Isaiah 61:1-8. He declared that the Spirit of the Lord had called and anointed Bishop Pons to preach the good news of Jesus at this time in history, especially in Nebbi.
The newly consecrated Bishop Pons Ozelle based his charge on the same passage from Isaiah 61, summarized as “Restoration through Jesus Christ from whom tangible healing, repair, and hope will come.”
In light of the challenges, Bishop Ozelle highlighted that the way forward includes registration of church land, promoting SACCOs and promoting education in the diocese among others key areas.
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