{UAH} Cleric accuses Orthodox leader of greed for power-I think these guys are crying out for federalism

Cleric accuses Orthodox leader of greed for power

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Orthodox Church chairperson for northern Uganda Rev Julius Orach (L) and Rev Emmanuel Oruk address journalists in Gulu Town last Friday. PHOTO BY JOHN OKOT 

By JOHN OKOT

Posted  Tuesday, June 9  2015 at  01:00

In Summary

Unchristian. Northern Uganda Orthodox chairperson said Archbishop Jonah Lwanga is also sectarian.

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Gulu. Greater North Region Orthodox Church chairperson, the Rev Fr Julius Orach, has accused Metropolitan Archbishop Jonah Lwanga of being greedy for power.
Fr Orach says the archbishop connives with his fellow religious leaders to frustrate their move for a new diocese in northern Uganda.
Speaking to Journalists in Gulu Town last Friday, Fr Orach alleged that Archbishop Lwanga has deliberately refused to appoint Orthodox leaders from northern Uganda to leadership positions, arguing that he only considers those from central region as a move to protect his position.
"He is a selfish, greedy and sectarian person. That is why he is against us having our own local bishop in Northern Uganda, because he is afraid of losing his grip on power," he said.
But Archbishop Lwanga in a telephone interview with Daily Monitor last Saturday, accused the Fr Orach of plotting to oust him by defaming and tarnishing his name as a way of gaining popularity within the Orthodox community.
The archbishop, who is currently in Europe for a medical operation, said Fr Orach is simply envious.
"He (Fr Orach) is calling me all sorts of names because he is jealous. He also wants to take over my position which I won't give up because I am here to serve God," Archbishop Lwanga said.
He also accused them of being ungrateful by not considering his contributions to Northern Uganda, saying the Rev Orach and his colleagues are only after fulfilling their personal desires leaving out the congregation.
Northern Uganda Orthodox spokesperson, the Rev Emmanuel Oruk, said they have few church development projects to benefit northern Uganda.
"We have few churches, no schools, hospitals and few leaders have been ordained," he said.

Genesis of the conflict
In April last year, a group of Orthodox leaders from northern Uganda petitioned their Pope, his Eminence Patriarch Alexandria, requesting him to allow Northern Uganda have a diocese. The petition came after they fell out with Archbishop Lwanga, who was reportedly against their move. The Rev Orach said he is determined to spearhead other religious leaders from northern Uganda to push for a new diocese, adding that they will not recognise Archbishop Lwanga in the Orthodox church if he goes against them. "We are not going to rest until we achieve our own diocese, and if the archbishop continues to go against us, then we shall consider Jesus as our only Archbishop not him," he said.

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com

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