The Reformed Anglican Church of the Upper Nile Diocese has ordained
its first clergy, six months after the installation of the founder Bishop, Rt.
Rev. Charles Okunya Oode.
Those ordained deacons are Richard Francis Emuge, Robert Otelu, William
Odongo, Ben James Obaan, Peter Abongosi, Julius Akol, and Bernard Akol.
The
group has been studying at Uganda Christian University under the sponsorship of
the Church of Uganda Diocese of Kumi, according to Bishop Okunya.
He said that the new deacons decided to join his church
after they were reportedly expelled from Kumi Diocese.
// cue in “They came in…
Cue out…our first batch.”//
Since its establishment in Kumi, the Upper Nile Diocese of
the Reformed Anglican Church has been battling with Kumi diocese for staff, property, and resources. Most of the clergy working
with the Reformed Anglican Church defected from Kumi Diocese to follow Okunya.
Bishop Okunya says that the Church now comprises 27 parishes with
26 clergymen including five retired priests who accepted to serve in the new
church. The Reformed Anglican Church has seven archdeaconries and 168 small
churches spread across the districts of Kumi, Ngora, and Bukedea.
Bishop Okunya
says that he has established new branches in Serere, Soroti, and Pallisa
districts. When contacted Jonathan Maraka, the Spokesperson of Kumi Diocese said that they are aware
of the schemes used by the Reformed Anglican Church to recruit and use the property of Kumi diocese property for its operations.
//Cue in “Most of the clergy…
Cue out…freedom of worship.”//
Rev. Deacon Julius Akol, one of the deacons ordained by
Bishop Okunya, says that he wishes for peace and tranquility in the Church regardless
of the denomination.
Ateso bite
//Cue in “Apupi eong aiyalama…
Cue out…aijanakin Edeke.”//
Okunya, a former priest under Church of Uganda diocese joined the Reformed Anglican Church after failing to become bishop of Kumi Diocese. The then-diocesan education coordinator in Kumi was elected as the second Bishop in 2019 but his consecration and enthronement
were called off over irregularities in his age.
Edward Eninu
Mark Okello
Freelancer
