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Welcome to Lira Diocese.

Welcome to the diocese of Lira! Find on this website information about the history of the diocese, its bishop, the main functions in the diocese, diocesan statistics, religious communities of men and women with their respective addresses, other institutions including seminaries, catechetical centre, hospitals and health centres, parishes, centres with resident priests, diocesan and relgious priests with their dates of ordination

HISTORY:

On the 12th of July 1968, the Holy See detached the Lango District,  until then part of Gulu Diocese, and erected it into Lira Diocese, naming Fr.Caesar Asili as its first Bishop. He was consecrated and installed on 27th October 1968, Feast of Christ the King, in Lira. Bishop Caesar Asili died on the 12th Oct. 1988. He was succeeded on 1st October 1989 by Bishop Joseph Oyanga, who retired on 2nd December 2003. The retired bishop of Fort Portal, Paul Lokiru Kalanda led the Diocese as Apostolic Administrator from 2nd December 2003 until the ordination of the present Bishop of Lira, Rt. Rev. Joseph Franzelli.

Rt. Rev. Joseph Franzelli, MCCJ,

was born in Roccafranca, Brescia Diocese, in Northern Italy on 9th April 1942. He made his final vows as a Comboni missionary on 9th September 1966, and was ordained a priest on 11th March 1967. He taught at the Pastoral Institute of Kitgum, Uganda (1972-73) and in Lacor Seminary, Gulu (1974-75). From 1975 to 1982 he was the Rector of Kitgum Pastoral Institute. He then worked in Patongo, where he was Parish Priest up to 1987. Back to Italy, he served seven years as Master of Postulants in Florence and two years as Vice-Provincial in Bologna. From 1996 he directed the Comboni Year of Ongoing Formation, commuting between Mexico and South Africa, and helping in various administrative tasks in Rome until he was elected as the third Bishop of Lira. He was ordained in Lira on 9th July 2005. 

Rt. Rev. Joseph Oyanga.
Born in Omoro, Lira Diocese, on 28th Feb.1936, he was ordained a priest of Tororo Diocese on 19th May 1963 in Alanyi parish by Bishop Cypriano Kihangire of Gulu. He worked in Tororo Diocese until 14th of July 1989, when he was elected second bishop of Lira Diocese. He was ordained bishop of Lira on the 1st Oct.1989 and he retired on 2nd Dec. 2003.

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Statistics
Description Number
Area
Population
Catholics 
Diocesan Priests including Bishops
Active in the diocese
Active on outside assignment
Active on study
Missionary Priests
Missionary Brothers
Missionary Sisters
Ugandan Brothers
Ugandan Sisters  
Major Seminarians
Catechists		 12,030 sq. Km
1,797,500
951,727
18
38
29
2
6
22
3
10
1
101
45
1,291

 

Functions

HEADS OF DEPARTMENT

Description Name
Chancellor 
Pastoral Coordinatorm
Diocesan Treasurer
Education Secretary
Religious Education Advisor
Lay Apostolate
Biblical Apostolate
Vocations Director
Youth Chaplain
Family Ministry
Social Economic Development
Diocesan Health  Coordinator
Pontifical Missionary Societies
Catechetical Pastoral Centre
Social Communications
Women’s Coordinator		 Fr. Godfrey Ogwang
Fr. Peter Claver Ongom
Bro. Gilbert Bettini
Fr. Simon Peter Olugu
Mr. Cyprian Ojok
Mr. Odongo Mark
Sr. Maria Teresa Azparren
Fr. Ponsiano Okalo
Fr. Paul Okello Okwel
Fr. Luis Arellano
Fr. Robert Omara
Sr. Jacinta Abalo
Fr. Alfred Okello
Fr. Maurizio Balducci
Mr. John Kakeeto
Mrs. Beatrice Ventice Ogony

College of Consultors.
Fr. Godfrey Ogwang
Fr. Vincent Maguire
Fr. Cellana Guido
Fr. Simon Peter Olugu
Fr. Bruno Odongo
Fr. Peter Claver Ongom
Fr. Innocent Opio

Parishes

ABER: The Blessed Sacrament (1940)
P. O. Box 310, Lira.
Diocesan Priests
Pope John XXIII Aber Hospital
Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church
Atapara S. S. S.,
Acaba Technical School and Acaba S. S. S

ABOKE: St. Paul (1958)
P. O. Box 43, Lira
Apostles of Jesus  (A.J)
St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary, Aboke
Comboni Sisters (St. Mary’s  College, Aboke)
Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church   

ADUKU: St. Joseph (1953)
P. O. Box 43, Lira
Diocesan Priests , Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate
Ikwera Girls S. S. S,
Ikwera Negri School for Disabled, Nambieso Agro

AGWATA: Our Lady of Fatima
P.O Box 43,  Lira
Diocesan Priests

ALANYI: St. Thomas More (1943)
P. O. Box 43,Lira
Diocesan Priests
Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church
St. Theresa Alanyi Girls S. S

ALENGA: Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (1970)
P. O. Box  43, Lira
Comboni Missionaries,
Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate
Fr. Egidio Tailoring School
ALITO: Our Lady of Mercy (1962)
P. O. Box 43, Lira
Apostles of Jesus, Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church, Agweng S. S. S.

ALIWANG: The Assumption of Mary (1931)
P. O. Box 43, Lira
Comboni Missionaries
Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate
Adwari S. S. S.

ALOI: Mary Helper of Children (1970)
P. O. Box 43, Lira
Diocesan Priests
Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church
Fatima Aloi Comprehensive S. S. S

AMOLATAR: St. John Fisher (1951)
P. O. Box 43,Lira
Diocesan Priests
Aputi S. S. S.

APAC: Christ The Redeemer of Mankind (1991)
P. O. Box 19, Apac
Diocesan Priests

BALA: The Assumption of Mary (1999)
P. O. Box 43,Lira
Comboni Missionaries

DOKOLO: St. Francis Xavier (1958)
P. O. Box 43, Lira
Diocesan Priests
St. John Bosco S. S. S

ICEME: Mary Mother of the Church
P. O. Box 43, Lira
Comboni Missionaries
Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church
Iceme Girls S. S. S

LIRA CATHEDRAL: Holy Martyrs of Uganda (1965
P. O. Box 168, Lira
Diocesan Priests
Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church
St. Kizito Primary-Boarding/Day and Nursery

MINAKULU: Holy Martyrs of Uganda (1964)
P. O. Box 43,
Lira
Diocesan Priests
Dr. Oryang Memorial College
St. Peter Claver Comprehensive S. S. S

NGETTA: St. Peter Claver (1930)
P. O. Box 43
Diocesan Procure,
Comboni Missionaries
Comboni Sisters,
Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate
Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church,
Mother House
Ngetta Uganda Martyrs University Centre
Comboni College,
Tarantino Girls College
St. John Bosco Technical School
Radio-Wa FM. 89.8
TV-Wa

TEBOKE: Christ The King (1970 )
P. O. Box 340,
Lira
Diocesan Priests,
Ayer Technical School

.
Priests

 

Name Date Ordination
Fr. Ajer Peter Claver
Fr. Atepo Benedict   
Fr. Akono Francis
Fr. Arapa Boniface
Fr. Ecat Tom Moses
Fr. Komakech William
Fr. Obot James  
Fr.  Ocen Stephen 
Fr. Odongo Bruno
Fr. Ogwal Jacinto
Fr. Ogwal George
Fr. Ogwang Godfrey 
Fr. Ogwang Leo
Fr. Ojede John Bosco
Fr.  Ojuka Carlo
Fr. Okalo Ponsiano 
Fr. Okello Alfred
Fr. Okello Caesar
Fr. Okello Martin 
Fr. Okello Paul Okwel 
Fr. Okello Tobby
Fr. Okeng Don Andrew
Fr. Okori Samuel 
Fr. Okucu Lawrence
Fr. Okuta Peter Paul 
Fr.  Okwir Martin 
Fr. Olugu Simon Peter
Fr. Omara Francis 
Fr. Omara Robert
Fr. Ongom Peter Claver
Fr. Onimo Geoffrey
Fr. Opio Innocent Vallente  
Fr.  Otom Moses
Fr. Ouma Benedict 
Fr. Owiny Ambrose 
Rt. Rev Oyanga Joseph (Bishop)
Fr. Pule Olima Desiderius  
Fr. Rienzner Albert Ocen 		 30.08.1997
22.05.1980
14.08.2004
22.04.2006
29.08.1998
15.09.1990
02.09.2000
04.10.1987
19.11.1994
19.10.1985
14.12.2000
11.09.1999
12.04.1986
09.08.2003
10.09.1994
11.08.2001
02.10.1999
30.11.1996
04.10.1987
14.08.2004
04.12.1999
22.08.1998
04.12.1999
20.08.1988
14.08.2004
29.09.1990
27.08.1987
06.09.1997
27.08.1988
07.10.1979
07.12.1983
09.08.2003
18.08.2001
03.09.1994
06.09.1997
19.05.1963
30.08.1997
07.01.1973

 

Comboni Missionary Priests in the Diocese

   
Fr. Anichini Alberto 
Fr. Arellano Perez Luis Francisco
Fr. Atipoupou Komlavi Stanislas
Fr. Aurelio Cervantes Fajardo  
Fr. Bianchi Sebastiano
Fr. Bolzonella Riccardo
Fr. Balducci Maurizio
Fr. Casillas Villar José. 
Fr. Cellana Guido 
Fr. Chisté Guiliano  
Fr. Del Rio Sanz Carmelo
Rt. Rev Franzelli Giuseppe (Ordinary)
Fr. Fraser John 
Fr. Grandi Nereo  
Fr. Maffeis Guglielmo
Fr. Maguire Vincent 
Fr. Moroni Ferdinando
Fr. Pisoni Giuliano
Fr. Polini Luigi 
Fr. Rizza Francesco		 07.04.1962
12.12.1987
28.01.2006
03.07.1966
07.06.1952
30.05.1953
06.10.1990
05.06.1993
28.06.1964
26.06.1955
02.08.1981
11.03.1967
02.04.1960
14.03.1959
14.03.1959
02.07.1960
15.06.1968
04.04.1970
28.06.1964
21.03.1970


APOSTLES OF JESUS IN THE DIOCESE

Abok Michael   ..................................................................16.01.1999
Magyezi Oscar   ................................................................05.08.2006
Opio Innocent ..................................................................02.12.1989

Comboni Missionary Brothers and dates of their Profession
Bettini Gilberto  ...............................................................09.09.1968
Dusi Pietro   ....................................................................08.12.1958
Louis Anyonga Binaisa  ...................................................29.04.2006

Comboni Missionary Sisters in the Diocese

Adair Coelho Sr. Deisy
Allen Brown Sr. Norma Virginia
Azparren Sr. Maria Teresa
Dell’Orto Sr. Daniela
Giannasi Sr. Genoveffa
N’ganga Sr. Susan
Pezzali Sr. Silveria
Spiga Sr. Ann
a Maria
Wamaru Sr. Margareth Wanja
Zorzi Sr. Maddalena

Institutions

St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary Aboke
P. O. Box 855, Lira.

Catechists Training Centre, Ngetta.
P. O. Box 43, Lira.

Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church, Mother House
P. O. Box 314, Lira.

Pope John XXIII Aber Hospital
P.O. Box 43, Lira.

Uganda Martyrs University  Ngetta Centre
P. O. Box 43, Lira.

St. Clare Children Village
Add: P. O. Box 43, Lira.

Ngetta Babies’ Home
P. O. Box 311, Lira

Brother Conrad Technical School
P.O Box 43, Lira

HEALTH CENTRES IN THE DIOCESE.

Aber Hospital (Pope John XXIII)
Run by the MSMMC
(Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church)

Aboke Parish (Health Center II)
Run by the Parish

Aduku Parish
Health Center II
Run by the LSMIG
(Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu)

Alanyi Parish
Health Center III
Run by the MSMMC

Alenga Parish
Health Center III
Run by the LSMIG

Aliwang Parish
Health Center III
Run by the LSMIG

Aloi Parish
Health Center II
Run by the MSMMC

Iceme Parish
Run by the MSMMC
Health Center III

Lira Cathedral Parish
St. Francis Abonyo-otingere     
Health Center II

Ngetta Parish
Health Center III
un by the MSMMC

Minakulu Parish
Health Center III
Run by the Parish

Teboke Parish
Health Center II
Run by the Parish

DEANERIES: 

ABER DEANERY.........................Aber, Minakulu and Teboke.
ABOKE DEANERY  ................... Aboke, Alito and Iceme.
APAC DEANERY  .......................Apac, Aduku and Alenga.
DOKOLO DEANERY ..................Alanyi, Amolatar, Agwata and Dokolo.
NGETTA DEANERY    .................Aloi, Aliwang, Lira and Ngetta.

RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES

Comboni Missionaries
Comboni House
St. Mary’s Aboke  (Sisters)
Ngetta Community  (Sisters)

Little Sisters Of Mary Immaculate Of Gulu
Aduku, Alenga, Aliwang and Ngetta

Missionary Sisters Of Mary Mother Of The Church
Mother House Ngetta (Generalate)
Aber,Alanyi,Alito,Aloi,Iceme,Lira,Ngetta,Aboke Seminary

SCHOOLS WITH CHAPLAINS

Comboni College.
Lira School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Ngetta Uganda Martyrs University Centre
St. Mary’s College Aboke.
Bishop Tarantino Girls’ College.

CATHOLIC FOUNDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Acaba S. S.
Acaba Technical
Adwari S. S.S
Agweng S. S. S.
Aputi S. S. S.
Atapara S. S. S.
Ave Maria Tailoring and Carpentry Technical School.
Ayer Technical School.
Bishop Tarantino’s Girls College.
Brother Conrad Technical School Alito.
Comboni College.
Dokolo St. John Bosco S. S. S.
Dr. Oryang Memorial S. S. Minakulu.
Fatima Aloi Comprehensive S. S.
Fr. Egidio’s Tailoring School Alenga.
Iceme Girls S. S.
Ikwera Girls S. S.
Loro Technical School.
Nambieso Agro.
Negri Schools for the Disabled Ikwera.
St. Mary’s College Aboke.
St. Paul’s Alemere Comprehensive S. S.
St. Peter Claver Amwa Comprehensive S. S.
St. Theresa Girls’ S. S.
Contacts
Contact Address
Bishop’ House
P.O Box 311, LIRA -  Uganda
Tel. (0473) 420498   Fax  (0473) 420498   
Mobile +256782976906  E-mail: liradiocese@gmail.com


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