KUMI: The Rt. Rev. Michael Okwii Esakhan has been consecrated and enthroned as the second bishop of Kumi Diocese.
It took place at St. Phillip’s Cathedral in Ngora district in front of thousands of people from Kumi and other dioceses. The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, His Grace Dr. Samuel Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, presided over the ceremony, which took place in front of a large crowd.
Kumi Diocese has been under the See of the Archbishop who appointed the former Bishop of Lango Diocese, Charles Odurkami, to caretake the diocese since December 29, 2019, when the founder bishop, Thomas Edison Irigei, retired.
During the House of Bishops meeting on February 9, 2022, the next bishop was chosen: Rev. Okwii, who was first chosen to replace Bishop Irigei in 2019.
Although there were efforts to block the consecration of Rev. Okwii, the matter was resolved after the court ruling on Thursday.
Before the consecration, the Kumi Diocese Chancellor, Emmanuel Ilukor, said that the diocesan synod sat on December 27, 2021, at St. Stephen’s Church in Kumi to commence the process of electing the new bishop.
Ilukor added that under Minute 5 of January 31, 2022, the nominations committee identified two names (though the second person was not revealed) that were forwarded to the province for consideration by the House of Bishops.
Bishop Odurkami, who has been the caretaker bishop of Kumi, said that it has been a tough journey for him in Kumi in the last two years.
“We thought we would just caretake Kumi for six months or at most one year, but things turned stormy,” he said while handing over the office. I considered quitting at times, but I’m grateful to my wife and family for always encouraging me to keep going.We are finally here today. Thank you, Papa Archbishop, for entrusting me with this huge responsibility.”
The new bishop pledged to prioritise reconciliation, restructuring, and inspiring Kumi and the world for Christ.
He said this before asking Rev. Okunya and the team to join him in carrying on the ministry.”I invite all the Christians and people of goodwill to help in rebuilding the house of God. Let’s move Kumi forward for Jesus as a team and forget the past. ”
Bishop Okwii implored the Christians of Kumi Diocese to get over any form of bitterness, greed, and slander against the church and allow the Holy Spirit to intervene in all situations.
According to Okwii, one of his major tasks is to produce clergy with high moral values and strong educational backgrounds. He revealed that the minimum training for the clergy will be a diploma, and that priests will only be ordained after attaining a degree.
The caretaker bishop, Odurkami, earlier revealed that most of the clergy in Kumi Diocese were ill-trained.
The Rev. Okwii comes from Atoot Sub County in Ngora, one of the three districts making up the Kumi diocese. The other districts are Kumi and Bukedea.