The diocese of Nebbi lies in the north of Uganda, in a region that in the recent past has suffered greatly from the internal warfare between the rebel group the so-called ‘Lord’s Resistance Army‘ (LRA) and the Ugandan government from 1987 to 2006. Whole areas of this region were devastated and destroyed, and the consequences are still very much evident today. Even now the ordinary people have scarcely managed to build a new life for themselves.
The Catholic Church here is herself not only very poor, but pastorally also finds herself facing immense challenges. Within the territory of the diocese there are a variety of different ethnic groups, all speaking their own individual language. The Church also strives hard to promote reconciliation, for there is a legacy of hatred that is frequently passed down from generation to generation, so that it seems never-ending. Further problems include the tradition of very early marriages, often involving forced marriage, along with teenage pregnancies, belief in sorcery, entrenched opposition to the education of girls and grinding poverty. Over 90% of the local population have to scratch a living from whatever crops they themselves can grow.
The diocese urgently needs more true shepherds, who can help the people to find their way to Christ and to a life grounded in Gospel values. Only in this way, from within, can things trulychange for the better here. But there is at least one ray of hope, in the fact that there are many new vocations. Indeed, there are 30 young men from the diocese who are currently preparing for the priesthood at various different seminaries in the country. And every year the Catholic Church in Nebbi diocese can rejoice in new ordinations to the priesthood.
The seminarians concerned are overwhelmingly from very poor families, and a number of them are without one or both parents. In fact the father of one of these future priests was brutally murdered. Most of them are from large families and in some cases their parents are frail and sick – all of which underlines the fact that these young men can expect no financial or material support from their own families. On the contrary, many of them have to work in the holidays in order to support their families.
And so, as in previous years, we are planning to help these 30 young men with their formation, so that they can follow the call of God. We have promised a total of 19,500 Euros. Will you help us to help them on their path to the priesthood?
Code: 158-02-79