NEBBI: The Rt. Rev. Dr. Constantine Rupiny was yesterday consecrated and enthroned as the 5th Bishop of the Nebbi Catholic Diocese.
The Vice President and Woman MP for Katakwi district Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo represented President Yoweri Museveni. In his message, Museveni congratulated Bishop Rupiny upon celebrating this milestone of spiritual leadership in Nebbi.
“I also congratulate all the faithful who have been yielding from your services and yearning for your consecration upon witnessing this momentous occasion,” Museveni said.
He said the consecration and enthronement of Bishop Rupiny is ushering in continuity of the good efforts started by the outgoing team of bishops over the years and is a testimony of his unwavering devotion and faithfulness to the mission of the church and of the biblical principle of preaching to all nations to advance the Kingdom of God.
President Museveni advised Rupiny that the call to serve God and minister to the people is a remarkable and honorable spiritual elevation that calls for complete surrender and trust in God as your sole enabler in service.
He said the responsibility of shepherding his flock in this position is an opportunity to tap into the blessings that come with serving God. I pray you reap all that is in store for you from God, he said.
President Museveni thanked the holy Father Pope Francis upon his decision to elevate Bp. Rupiny to this position. He implored the new bishop to give himself to selfless service, utilize his vast experience to serve the church adding that indeed God has chosen at the right time.
He assured the bishop that God’s grace shall guide him and sustain his endeavours and service.
“As you are being consecrated and enthroned as the 5th Bishop of Nebbi Catholic Diocese today, remember that the challenges of leadership as a religious leader will require your resolute leaning on God for guidance and strength, drawing on the potentials that he bestowed on you to perform your duties,” he said.
He asked the bishop to preach the gospel of love, unity and hard work to advance development amongst the people.
“Let’s join hands to fight poverty among our people who are still outside the money economy through the livelihood programs of the government which have been designed to address household incomes. This gospel of hard work to community leaders and all religious leaders at all levels must continue symbiotically in all government ministries, departments and agents until everyone is brought into the money economy,” he said.
The president recognized the role of the church in shaping the morals of our society, as well as being partners with the government in development.
“Religious institutions have supplemented government efforts in raising people’s living standards, through church founded projects and faith based education and health institutions,” Museveni said.
He urged all religious leaders to continue being agents of positive change by not being limited to evangelism, teaching and discipleship only but also guide the flock to be active participants in government welfare programs that help them create wealth and improve on their standards of living.
Making reference to the bible, in the book of Acts 3:2-8; the president said, “we witness Peter and John, the disciples of Jesus healing the man at the temple gate called “beautiful” and liberating him from constant begging.
He told the people of Nebbi diocese that this was the true gospel of redemption from poverty and physical captivity to freedom – to arise and work.
The president explained that the NRM has been a good disciple of development since it took power and they are now more intentional at taking a firm stand in fighting poverty from all Ugandan households.
He noted that working with leaders and government agencies and departments, they are conducting intensive campaigns all over the country in many ways and using different initiatives to benefit different categories of people.
He called upon every family to join the commercial oriented campaigns like the Parish Development Model and other wealth creation initiatives like Emyooga and the youth venture capital funds to enroll in Skilling Hubs of government.
He urged the church leadership, in collaboration with government representatives and Members of Parliament, to help the nation in making these programmes and initiatives become a practical reality.
President Museveni encouraged the people to uphold the faith. “Everything that prevents humanity from living in dignity and decency must be handled by the church and its flock. By doing this, it demonstrates your dedication to lead the society following the foundation of Christ,” he said.
Museveni assured the faithful that the government will continue to work for maintenance of peace and security in the whole of Uganda for development of the people of God.
He finally called upon the people of Nebbi Diocese to receive and support your new Bishop wholeheartedly.
On behalf of president Museveni, the VP Alupo handed over the latest brand new Toyota model 2024, to the new bishop for his official work.
The president appreciated the efforts of Bishop Raphael Wokorach P’mony, the out-going Bishop and prayed to the Almighty God to richly bless all his efforts in service of humanity and the church.
He also hailed Archbishop Wokorach for overseeing the spiritual and physical growth of the church and always mobilizing people for development causes and missions.
“Your steadfast faith, dedication and zeal to see change have kept the church in right standing with God and with government.
In his homily, His Grace Wokorach preached against divisive , manipulative politics which cannot bring development to the people.
He advised the new bishop to steadfast and not be afraid. He asked the bishop to encourage the people to move out of poverty because it is still deeply rooted in communities.
Born on November 10, 1974, in Parombo, Nebbi Diocese, Bp. Rupiny pursued his priestly formation at Uganda Martyrs’ National Major Seminary in Alokolum (1996-1999) and St. Mary’s National Major Seminary in Ggaba (2000-2004).
After his ordination on August 28, 2004, he served as the parish vicar of Kango from 2004 to 2005. In 2005, he became the first African parish priest of St. Daniel Comboni Parish in Akanyo, a role he held until 2007.
Bp. Rupiny expanded his academic credentials by earning a Licentiate in Philosophy from the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome (2009-2011) and later a Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Poland (2018-2022).
His research, including work on Alur customary marriage about the Catholic sacrament of marriage, highlights his dedication to integrating theology with cultural contexts.
His roles within the Church include formator and professor at Uganda Martyrs’ National Major Seminary Alokolum, vice president of the priests’ Council of Nebbi (2017-2018), vice-rector of the seminary (January-September 2023), and, most recently, rector of the same institution since September 2023.
Nebbi Diocese became vacant on March 22, 2024, following the appointment of His Grace Raphael P’Mony Wokorach, who had served as the Ordinary of Nebbi for nearly three years after his appointment in March 2021, as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Gulu.
In July, Archbishop Wokorach was named the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese, a role he continues to hold to this day.
In addition to Archbishop Wokorach, Nebbi’s past bishops include Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok (2011-2018), Rt. Rev. Martin Luluga (1988-2011), and the diocese’s first bishop, Rt. Rev. John Baptist Odama, who now serves as the Archbishop of Gulu.
Established 28 years ago, Nebbi Diocese grew from the Gulu Apostolic Vicariate, which dates back to 1923.
It’s history is rooted in the efforts of Comboni missionaries, catechists, and local leaders who nurtured the Faith among the Alur people
