Society
Of The Divine Word

Recognizing the growing Catholic community, Rt. Rev. Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki of Arua Diocese granted permission for the parish’s establishment. It was officially declared on January 15, 2025, though its inauguration was celebrated on January 29, 2025, the feast of St. Joseph Freinademetz. The inauguration was preceded by a nine-day Novena (January 20–28, 2025), involving various Catholic groups, attracting large participation.

During the official inauguration, Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki blessed the church and installed Fr. Wojciech Pawlowski as the first parish priest. Catechist Krisanto Aziku Maxwell was also granted faculty as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. The parish consists of 46 outstations and over 250,000 refugees(150000 Catholics) and more than 6000 Ugandans, making it one of the largest in Arua Diocese. The inaugural Mass, attended by over 5,000 people, including political leaders, was followed by entertainment and gift presentations.

The bishop emphasized that, despite the hardships caused by war, God’s blessings had allowed the SVD to expand its mission in Uganda. The opening of the parish also aligned with the 150-year jubilee celebrations of the SVD congregation, marking a significant milestone for its growth in Uganda and South Sudan.

SVD SSD-Uganda Communication Team