Christians have been called to live a life of holiness, practice equity and use their talents and resources for the common good. This call was made by His Grace John Baptist Odama, Archbishop Emeritus of Gulu Archdiocese while president over Mass in Rushoroza Cathedral on Sunday, September 21, 2025 to celebrate 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Archbishop John Baptist Odama was on a three day Pastoral to Kabale Diocese to promote devotion to the Blessed Daudi Okello, Jildo Irwa and Joseph Ambrosoli and in his homily, he urged the faithful to use their talents responsibly, stressing that every gift is given by God for the service of others. He reminded believers that one day they give an account of how they used these gifts and encouraged them to always put them at the service of others.
He cautioned the wealthy against exploiting the poor, and urged them to treat the less privileged with respect and dignity, as fellow children of God. He further encouraged Christians to reflect on their faith, build honesty and integrity in their businesses, workplaces, and daily interactions and avoid accumulating wealth through dubious means like cheating clients.
Archbishop Odama also warned against putting their entire trust in material wealth, and called them to focus on eternal life with total dedication to Christ, inspired by the example of the Uganda Martyrs especially Blessed Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa.
Jildo Irwa and Daudi Okello were the first fruits of evangelization by Comboni Missionaries in Northern Uganda. They were baptized in 1916 and went to Paimol to evangelize as young catechists, teaching young ones catechism and basic prayers, recitation of the rosary and sacraments. They taught love of God and neighbor. But they met their death from the haters of religion and were killed in 1918 at Paimol. They were beatified on 20.10.2002 by Pope John Paul II and their memorial day is October 20.
Together with Fr. Joseph Ambrosoli who was a medical doctor, they live as true witnesses to the Lord without attachment to wealth since according to the Gospel, “you cannot serve two master: God and Mammon” (Luke 16:13). Ambrosoli was beatified at Kalongo on 20/11/2022 and his memorial day is July 28.
His Grace John Baptist Odama called on all the people to break barriers of cultural discrimination like Blessed Joseph Ambrosoli who was an Italian but had much love and care for Africans for they too were created in God’s image like him. He said “God has been good to us and raised among us people to emulate and I invite all Christians to pray for the canonization of these three holy witnesses so they may be officially recognized as saints”.
Fr. Fidel Ndagijimana, Pastoral Coordinator for Kabale Diocese thanked His Grace John Baptist Odama for his Pastoral visit to Kabale Diocese and promotion of devotion to the Uganda Martyrs. He received the relics of Blessed Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa on behalf of the Diocese and said they would hold a curia meeting after which arrangements would be put in place to disseminate the information received to all parishes of Kabale Diocese.