AFRICA/UGANDA - Resignation by Bishop of Nebbi and appointment of his Successor

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father Benedict XVI, on 8 February 2011 accepted the resignation of the pastoral care for the Diocese of Nebbi (Uganda), presented by Bishop Martin Luluga, in conformity with canon 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law. The Holy Father appointed as Bishop of Nebbi, Father Sanctus Lino Wanok, Vicar General of the same Diocese.
Bishop-elect, Fr Sanctus Lino Wanok was born on 7 April 1957, in the village of Atyak-Yamo, Parish of Warr, in the Diocese of Arua. He studied Philosophy at the National Major Seminary in Alokolum, Gulu, and Theology at Mary's National Major Seminary in Ggaba. He received his Doctorate in Biblical Theology at the Pontifical Urbanian University in Rome. He was ordained a priest on 27 September 1986 and appointed to the Diocese of Arua. When the new Diocese of Nebbi was created, he went there. After being ordained he held the following roles: 1986-1987: Assistant parish priest in Nyapea; 1988-1991: Professor at Katigondo National Major Seminary, Masaka; 1991-1995: Studied for the Licentiate and Doctorate in Biblical Theology at the Pontifical Urbanian University in Rome; 1996-2005: Docent at the National Major Seminary in Ggaba and Vice-Rector of the same Seminary; from 2006: Parish priest in Paidha and Vicar General in Nebbi.
The Diocese of Nebbi (1996), suffragan of the Archdiocese of Gulu, has a area of 5,098 sq. km and a population of 600,177 inhabitants, of whom 494,677 are Catholic. There are 15 parishes, 61 priests (54 diocesan and 7 religious), 18 religious brothers, 39 sisters and 17 major seminarians. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 8/02/2011)