AFRICA/UGANDA - The Pope accepts resignation of Bishop of Soroti and appoints Successor

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI on 27 June 2007 accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Soroti (Uganda), presented by Bishop Erasmus Desiderius Wandera, in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, canon 401 § 1. The Holy Father appointed Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obbo, A.J., Bishop of Soroti (Uganda) until now he was rector of the minor seminary of the Congregation of the Apostles of Jesus in Nadiket, Moroto.
The Bishop elect Emmanuel Obbo, A.J., was born on 7 October 1952, in the village of Nagoke/Kirewa, West-Budama County, archdiocese of Tororo. After primary school he entered the minor seminary of the religious Congregation of the Apostles of Jesus. He later studied at the East-African Commercial and Secondary School in Kampala and the Centre for Continuous Education at Makerere University, for a Pitman Certificate in Book Keeping. In 1977 he joined the Congregation of the Apostles of Jesus, and made his first vows on 8 December 1979. He studied philosophy 1980-1982 and theology 1982-1986 at the seminary of the Congregation of the Apostles of Jesus in Nairobi.
He was ordained a priest on 13 December 1986 and ministered as follows: 1986-1987: assistant novice master in Moroto; 1987-1991: studies for Licentiate in philosophy at the Pontifical Urban University; 1992-1994: rector of the Philosophicum at Langata; 1993-1999: Vicar general and pastoral coordinator of the Congregation of the Apostles of Jesus; 1999-2001: assistant general for social communications; since 2003: rector of the minor seminary of Congregation of the Apostles of Jesus at Nadiket, Moroto; since 2003: coordinator Apostles of Jesus Moroto-Kotido area; since 2004: called by the Bishop of Moroto to be Contact Person, Office of the Vicar General; since 2004: head of the Board of Governors of St. Daniel Comboni Polytechnic, Naoi, Moroto; since 2004: President of the School Management Committee, at St. Daniel Comboni Polytechnic, Naoi, Moroto. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 27/6/2007; Righe 23; Parole 321)