AGAGO, Uganda — Gulu Archbishop Raphael P’Mony Wokorach on Sunday called on Catholic men with multiple wives to begin transitioning to monogamy to be fully eligible for church sacraments. His remarks came during the commissioning of a new 1,000-seat Catholic church in Kal Aloi Village, Patongo Subcounty, Agago District.
The church was built by Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo in memory of his late mother, Paulina Mego Angom. “I suggest that those with two or three wives start reducing until they remain with one,” the Archbishop said, drawing reactions from the congregation. He reminded attendees that the Eucharist, the central sacrament of the Church, is reserved for those in monogamous unions, as required by Catholic doctrine.
Archbishop Wokorach praised the Chief Justice and his family for their generosity and vision in constructing the church. “This church is a gift to all of us, and we receive it with deep gratitude. A church is a home for everyone, and our home in heaven is prepared from the church,” he said, referring to the new building as a beautiful addition that would attract more believers.
Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo officially handed over St. Matthew’s Church to the Gulu Archdiocese, stating it was no longer his personal property. “I declare before God and man that this is now the property of Gulu Archdiocese,” he said, symbolically handing over five keys. “From now on, even I must seek permission to pray here.”
Albino Kidega, the area LC1 Chairperson, welcomed the new church, noting it would save residents from traveling long distances to existing churches about three kilometers away. “My people can now worship closer to home,” he said.
The church project gained public attention in February 2022 when photos of the Chief Justice laying bricks alongside women circulated on social media. “What moved me most was seeing women fetching water to mix the soil, so I removed my shoes, folded my trousers, and joined them,” he recalled. “That act motivated them even more.”
The commissioning follows a similar act by former Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa, who recently built a 1,200-seat church in Sembabule District after surviving throat cancer. Dignitaries present at Sunday’s event included Deputy Chief Justice Flavian Zeija and Acting Principal Judge Jane Kajuga.
