Moroto (Fides Service) - In this Year of the Eucharist Karimojong speaking Catholics in Uganda have received the best of gifts, liturgical books in their own language. The work started in 2002 and was undertaken by Fr René Brossard a White Father, or Missionary of Africa, who is in charge of the Liturgy Commission of Moroto diocese.
There are about 800,000 Karimojong in north east Uganda and most of them are Catholics. They belong to the dioceses of Moroto and Kotido entrusted to the pastoral care of the Comboni Missionaries and the White Fathers who work together will local priests. In this region there are about 10 different tribes of Karimojong each with their own dialect, but all speak also Karimojong, a Nilotic language very different from Bantu languages found all over central Africa. Up to now there were no liturgical books in this language.
Fr. Brossard led a team of priests, religious, catechists and other lay people in the meticulous work of translating the principle liturgical books in the local language. The volumes translated include the Missal, two Lectionaries with Mass readings, the smaller Missal for the faithful, a Book of Blessings and a few books of simple prayers for the laity. This demanding liturgical labour is of priceless value for the Church and the people of this isolated region. (MS/LM) (Agenzia Fides, 05/10/2005 righe 22, parole 256)