By Eumu Emmanuel
Lira, Uganda – In a soul-stirring homily delivered during the Chrism Mass at Uganda Martyrs Cathedral, the Bishop of Lira Diocese, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok, has raised a solemn alarm over the growing trend of families and communities discouraging their children from embracing vocations to the priesthood and religious sisters.
Amid the sacred rites of one of the most significant liturgical celebrations in the Catholic Church, Bishop Wanok described such misdirection of divine callings as a grave spiritual tragedy.
“The one God has chosen to lift our prayers and burdens before His throne is instead led away from that divine mission. It is a great loss,” Bishop Wanok declared with heartfelt conviction, drawing solemn nods from hundreds gathered in the cathedral.
The Chrism Mass, celebrated annually during Holy Week, was marked by reverence and unity as over sixty priests from across the diocese renewed their priestly vows a powerful symbol of continued commitment to their sacred calling.
In a deeply sacramental moment, the Bishop consecrated the three holy oils the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens, and the Sacred Chrism which will be used in baptisms, confirmations, ordinations, and the anointing of the sick throughout the year.
With unwavering clarity, Bishop Wanok addressed both clergy and laity, urging them to embrace the spirit of synodality walking together in faith, listening, and discernment.
“As priests,” he emphasized, “you are not just spiritual leaders; you are the headmasters of the soul, entrusted with the sacred duty of sanctifying the lives of God’s people.”
The Bishop’s message resonated with urgency and pastoral love. He mourned the societal pressures and misconceptions that lead many to treat religious vocations as misfortunes rather than divine blessings.
“To refuse God’s anointing in someone’s life is to rob the community of an intercessor a servant who stands in the gap between earth and heaven,” he said. “It is not just a loss for the Church. It is a loss for the family, for the clan, for the people.”
The celebration ended with a standing ovation as the priests processed out renewed, reenergized, and reawakened to the sacred responsibilities that define their mission.
In a time when the world hungers for spiritual clarity and moral guidance, Bishop Wanok’s homily stood as both a prophetic warning and a call to return to the roots of faith.
“Let every priest strive to keep the flame of faith burning in the hearts of the faithful,” he concluded.
The Chrism Mass in Lira was not just a liturgical event it was a spiritual reckoning and a reminder of the sacred honor of being called to serve God and His people.