Nebbi New  Catholic Bishop enthroned

By Mike Rwothomio

Rev father  Dr. Constantine Rupiny has been enthroned as the new Bishop of Nebbi Catholic Diocese on Saturday 22, February, 2025 at Nebbi Catholic diocese ceremonial grounds.

His Grace Raphael P’mony Wokoch, the Archbishop of Gulu Ecclesiastical Province  had served as the Bishop  of Nebbi for nearly three years after his appointment in March 2021.

The mass presided over by His Grace Raphael P’mony Wokoch, the Archbishop of Gulu Ecclesiastical Province Luigi Bianco,  mustered thousands of religious and political leaders including   faithfuls across all walks of life.

His excellency Luigi Bianco, the Apostolic nuncio to Uganda read the apostolic letter, formally endorsing Rupiny’s  enthronement as the fifth Bishop of Nebbi Catholic Diocese.

Pope Francis  appointed Fr. Dr. Constantine Rupiny as the new Bishop of  Nebbi Diocese last year,  after the position fell vacant  following the appointment of the then Nebbi Bishop His Grace Raphael P’Mony Wokorach, as the Archbishop of Gulu Ecclesiastical Province.

His Grace Raphael P’mony Wokoch, The Archbishop of Gulu Ecclesiastical Province commended pope Francis for appointment  of Rupiny, describing the moment as memorable and beautiful.

Additionally , the Archbishop  also urged the new Bishop to  use his leadership as a beacon of hope that inspires everyone.

He also rallied believers to accord the new Bishop all the necessary support, to effectively  steer the leadership of the diocese.

” As leaders we can only lead when we listen and allow people to speak to us ” Archbishop P’mony said in parts, adding that his  consecration  is ”  a re-collective journey that he use  to  continue  biulding the church on solid rock as a true shepherd.

The new Bishop  takes over  the Catholic Diocese of Nebbi, with a massive population of over 400,000 people spanning the districts of Zombo, Nebbi, Pakwach and Madi-Okollo.

Rt. Rev. Bishop Constantine Rupiny upon his Consecration lauded Pope Francis for his  appointment, calling for support and  prayers from everyone.

He was urged to exemplary Lead the church through holy spirit in coordination with the church leaders, and  to walk with and among the flock.

Bishop Anthony Ziwa , the chairperson of Uganda Episcopal Conference on behalf of the Bishops  , commended everyone for the preparation of the  great historical consecration  moment of the new Bishop of Nebbi.

The LCV Chairperson Emmanuel Orombi rallied believers to offer the new Bishop a deserved respect,  adding that ,  ” we congragulate you our lord Bishop, we commit to listen to you”.

Meanwhile the state minister of  Energy Phiona Nyamutoro, emphasized the need for strong relationship and collaboration  between the church and government, to address the deep-seated challenges facing  locals in the area.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in a message read by   Her excellency Jesicca Alupo, the vice president of Uganda  congratulated the new Bishop, calling upon him to capitalize on his wealthy experience in church leadership to lead the church peacefully and  effectively.

The President also donated a new Toyota  car to the Bishop to aid his pastoral work.

Born   in Parombo, Nebbi Diocese, Rev. Fr. Rupiny was ordained a priest on 28 August 2004. He holds advanced degrees, including a Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Poland.

Bishop  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 Dr. Rupiny’s  ordination in  2004, he served as the parish vicar of Kango from 2004 to 2005 and later became the first African parish priest of St. Daniel Comboni Parish in Akanyo,  until 2007.

Fr. Rupiny holds  a Licentiate in Philosophy from the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome (2009-2011) and  also a  Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Poland (2018-2022).

 His  extensive research,  that amongst others included  working  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.

Rupiny has now become the fifth  Nebbi Catholic Diocese after the reign of Rt.  Rev. Raphael P’mony Wokoch,  Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok (2011-2018), Rt. Rev. Martin Luluga (1988-2011), and the diocese’s first bishop,  Retired Rt.Dr.  John Baptist Odama, the former  Archbishop of Gulu Ecclesiastical Province.

Nebbi  Catholic Diocese was established 28 years ago, having been curved out from  Gulu Apostolic Vicariate in 1923.

The  Diocese is blessed with 69 Diocesan priests, 04 Missionary priests, 63 Religious sisters, 26 Religious brothers and 997 catechists from 19 Parishes across the Diocese, according to Uganda Episcopal Conference.

The  rich history of the diocese is rooted in the efforts of Comboni missionaries, catechists, and local leaders.

Bishop Constantine Rupiny will preside over a mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Nebbi Catholic on Sunday 23, February, 2025, formally marking the beginning of his pastoral journey.