Raphael p’Mony Wokorach, MCCJ is a Roman Catholic prelate and professed member of Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus, who was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Nebbi, in Uganda, on 31 March 2021.[1][2] He was appointed the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Gulu on 22 March 2024.[3]
Raphael p’Mony Wokorach, MCCJ | |
|---|---|
| Metropolitan Archbishop-designate of Gulu | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Gulu |
| See | Gulu |
| Appointed | 22 March 2024 |
| Predecessor | Sanctus Lino Wanok |
| Previous post(s) | Bishop of the Diocese of Nebbi (2021-2024) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 25 September 1993 by Martin Luluga |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 January 1961 |
| Styles of Raphael p’Mony Wokorach | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | His Excellency |
| Spoken style | The Most Reverend |
| Religious style | Monsignor |
Early life and priesthood
editWokorach was born on 21 January 1961, at Ojigo Village in Wadelai, in the then Diocese of Arua, in present-day Arua District in the West Nile sub-region, in the Northern Region of Uganda.[2]
He attended Ragem Primary School, before entering the highly selective Saints Peter and Paul Minor (Preparatory) Seminary at Pokea, in Arua, studying Sciences, Mathematics, Social Studies and Latin from 1975 until 1979, for his O-Level education. He transferred to the all-boys' boarding school, St. Joseph's College Ombaci, also in Arua, where he completed his A-Level education, graduating in 1982, with the equivalent of a high school diploma.[4]
Between 1983 and 1987, Wokorach studied philosophy at Uganda Martyrs’ National Major Seminary Alokolum, in Gulu, Uganda. In 1987, he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, by the Pontifical Urban University, in Rome. He continued with his studies in Kenya, graduating with a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in 1994.[4]
He is a member of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus (Latin: Missionarii Comboniani Cordis Iesu), also known as the Comboni Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, the Verona Fathers, or the Sons of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and originally called the Sacred Heart of Jesus(Congregatio Filiorum S. Cordis Iesu), a male religious institute of papal law: the members of this congregation, known merely as Comboni, bear the letters MCCI. It was founded on 1 June 1867 by Italian priest Daniel Comboni.
Wokorach was ordained priest on 25 September 1993 at Wadelai Parish, in Arua Diocese, by Martin Luluga, the Bishop of Gulu at that time. He served as priest in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nebbi, until 31 March 2021.[2][4]
As bishop
editHe was appointed bishop on 31 March 2021 by Pope Francis. He replaced Bishop Sanctus Lino Wanok, who served as Bishop of Nebbi from 8 February 2011 until 23 November 2018, when he was transferred to Lira Diocese as Bishop. During the absence of a bishop at Nebbi (2018 to 2021), Monsignor Emmanuel Odaga served as the Diocesan Administrator.[4] He is expected to be installed as Bishop of Nebbi Catholic Diocese on 14 August 2021.[5]
Wokorach was consecrated bishop on 14 August 2021, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral, Nebbi, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nebbi by Archbishop John Baptist Odama, Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Gulu, assisted by Archbishop Luigi Bianco, Titular Archbishop of Falerone and Papal Nuncio to Uganda, Bishop Giuseppe Filippi, M.C.C.I., Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kotido and Bishop Sanctus Lino Wanok, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lira.[1][6] His installation as Archbishop of Gulu is scheduled for Sunday, 14 July 2024, at St. Joseph's Cathedral, Gulu. He received the pallium – the symbol of his authority as metropolitan archbishop – from Pope Francis on June 29, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, in Rome.[7][8][9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Felix Warom Okello (31 March 2021). "Pope Francis Appoints Fr Raphael Wokorach As New Nebbi Bishop". Daily Monitor. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
- ^ a b c David M. Cheney (31 March 2021). "MicroData Summary for Raphael P'Mony Wokorach". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. Kansas City, United States. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
- ^ Peter Masereka (19 April 2024). "Uganda: Episcopal Installation Date of the New Gulu Archbishop Wokorach Confirmed". Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d Clement Aluma (31 March 2021). "Who Is Rt. Rev. Raphael p'Mony Wokorach, The Newly Appointed Bishop of Nebbi Catholic Diocese?". Arua, Uganda: West Nile Web. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
- ^ Felix Warom Okello and Patrick Okaba (3 August 2021). "Wokorach: New shepherd of Nebbi Catholic Diocese". Daily Monitor. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
- ^ Felix Warom Okello (17 August 2021). "Wokorach Installed Nebbi Catholic Bishop". Daily Monitor. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
- ^ Katushabe, Sylivia (30 June 2024). "Gulu Archbishop-designate receives pallium from Pope Francis". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ Okaba, Patrick (29 June 2024). "Gulu Archbishop arrives in Vatican to receive pallium". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ^ David Ijjo (17 April 2024). "Episcopal installation of New Gulu Archbishop Raphael P'Mony Wokorach set for July 12 2024". Nile Post Uganda. Kampala, Uanda. Retrieved 17 April 2024.