By KT Reporter
Gulu Archdiocese has officially launched preparations to host this year’s National Youth Conference, an event expected to bring together hundreds of youths from different dioceses across the country.
The announcement was made on Sunday by the Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese, Raphael P’Mony Wokorach, during a mass held at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Gulu City. This year’s National Youth Conference will be held from December 9-14th under the theme “You also are my witness, because you have been with me”.
Addressing journalists at his residence on the preparations, Archbishop Wokorach noted that the national youth conference presents an opportunity for both young and old Christians to grow in faith and to learn from Christ.
Archbishop Wokorach noted that after getting briefings from the national team on having Gulu Archdiocese host this year’s event, he accepted it with joy and confidence.
He said this year’s conference will be celebrated within the global jubilee year under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”, which adds more blessings to the youth conference.
Archbishop Wokorach also unveiled a three-man team of the Central Organizing Committee (COC) headed by Monsignor Cyprian Ocen P’Akec to coordinate the preparations of the National Youth Conference celebration.
The National Youth Conference is an annual event organized by the Uganda Episcopal Conference through the Youth Apostolate. The conference features various activities ranging from prayer sessions to leadership training, among others.
Joyce Zako, the National Youth Coordinator at the Uganda Episcopal Conference, said the conference serves as a central point for youth to get answers and solutions to some of their unanswered questions, challenges, and ambitions in life.
Zako noted that while the host is yet to design the key messages for the youth, one of their topical areas during the conference will be how youth can become champions of climate change mitigation, which aligns with the concerns of the Holy See.
Zako highlighted that some of the programs designed for the youth conference will involve adoration, catechesis, and veneration of the cross.
Fr Walter Wokorach, the Provincial Chaplaincy Coordinator, called for contributions from Christians to help support the success of the conference.
“We appeal that we must make contributions. We support this event so that it is a success. Let us pray that the almighty God keeps us strong to see that this is a success story, and we pledge cooperation on the young people,” said Fr Wokorach.
Monsignor Cyprian Ocen P’Akec, the Chairperson COC, said that while the conference requires finances, the budget is yet to be drawn by the COC and promised to make the final budget publicly known.
He, however, expressed happiness that three dioceses of Nebbi, Arua, and Lira have since pledged financial support towards the national youth conference.
Last year, the National Youth Conference was hosted by Hoima Catholic Diocese, which falls under the Mbarara Ecclesiastical province. It was held at Our Lady of Lourdes Bujumbura Cathedral in Hoima City-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
