Omach Pilgrimage Site Hosts 116th Anniversary Commemoration of the Gospel - GANAL
Omach, Nebbi Diocese, -
Thousands of pilgrims from across the GANAL Province and neighboring dioceses gathered at
the Omach Pilgrimage Site on 6 March 2026 to commemorate the 116th anniversary of the planting
of the Gospel in Northern Uganda. The spiritual celebration brought together believers
from the dioceses of Gulu, Arua, Nebbi, and Lira. The Mass was presided over by Rt.Rev. Sanctus
Lino Wanok, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lira. Also present were Archbishop Emeritus John Baptist Odama of Gulu Archdiocese,
Bishop Emeritus Giuseppe Franzelli of Lira Diocese, Archbishop Raphael P'Mony Wokorach of
Gulu, Archdiocese, Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki of Arua Diocese, and Bishop Constantine Rupiny
of Nebbi Diocese.
Bishop Wanok in his Homily stressed that healthy relationships are central to Christian
salvation. He urged the faithful to renew their commitment to reconciliation and unity
within families, cultures, communities, and the Church. "Conversion always precedes fruitfulness,"
he said, calling on believers to embrace repentance as the first step toward restoring broken relationships.
Bishop Wanok highlighted the need to heal relationships at every level - between dioceses,
clergy and laity, generations, cultures, and nations. He stressed that the Church's renewal
begins not with structural changes, but with the restoration of bonds among God's people.
Describing the Church as a harmonious orchestra, Bishop Wanok said, "The bishop must not
silence the laity, and the laity must not walk alone. Each person's gift has a place in
the mission of the Gospel." The presence of pilgrims at Omach, he noted, was a living example
of this harmony, as believers gathered to pray, discern, and journey together in faith.
He also underscored the central role of the Eucharist in fostering unity. "If we adore
the Blessed Sacrament but refuse to reconcile with our brothers and sisters, we break the
logic of the Eucharist," he warned, urging Christians to reflect on their relationships
and seek forgiveness, drawing inspiration from the biblical story of Joseph and his brothers.
The pilgrimage commemorated the historic arrival of the Eucharist in the GANAL region in 1910,
when the first missionaries celebrated Mass at Omach. Bishop Wanok reflected that these missionaries
came not with wealth or power, but with faith in the Body of Christ. "They trusted that communion with
Christ would one day become communion among the people of God," he said.
Bishop Wanok encouraged pilgrims to carry the spiritual message of Omach back to their families and communities.
"Let us not return home empty-handed," he said. "May the grace we have received here inspire us to
strengthen unity and serve others in love and charity."
The GANAL pilgrimage remains one of northern Uganda's most important religious gatherings, offering
believers a chance to deepen their faith, renew their commitment to reconciliation, and strengthen
the bonds of communion within the Church.
