Diocese of Arua
Diocese of the Catholic Church in Uganda
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The Roman Catholic Diocese of Arua (Latin: Aruaën(sis)) is a diocese of the Catholic Church in Uganda. located in the city of Arua in the ecclesiastical province of Gulu in Uganda. Following the resignation of Bishop Frederick Drandua, on 19 August 2009, Pope Benedict XVI appointed the Sabino Ocan Odoki, Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Gulu, as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Arua, until a substantive bishop is appointed.[1] On October 20, 2010 he was named ordinary Bishop.[2]
Uganda- Total
- Catholics
- (as of 2006)
- 1,650,275
- 670,000 (40.6%)
Diocese of Arua Dioecesis Aruaensis | |
|---|---|
 Uganda - Diocesi di Arua | |
| Location | |
| Country | Uganda |
| Metropolitan | Gulu |
| Statistics | |
| Area | 10,561 km2 (4,078 sq mi) |
Population
|
|
| Information | |
| Rite | Latin Rite |
| Cathedral | Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Lodonga |
| Current leadership | |
| Pope | Leo XIV |
| Bishop | Sabino Ocan Odoki |
Territory
The Diocese of Arua is bordered to the north by the Catholic Diocese of Torit and the Diocese of Yei, both located in South Sudan. To the south, it borders the Nebbi Catholic Diocese in Uganda. The eastern boundary is shared with the Gulu Archdiocese in Uganda, while the western border adjoins the Diocese of Mahagi-Nioka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[2]
History
Leadership
The current bishop of the diocese is Sabino Ocan Odoki, who was appointed in 2010.[5] Bishop Odoki previously served as Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Gulu before being appointed as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Arua on 19 August 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI, following the resignation of Bishop Frederick Drandua.
Previous Bishops of Arua (Roman rite) include:
- Angelo Tarantino (1959-02-12 – 1984)[6]
- Frederick Drandua (1986-05-27 - 2009-08-19)[7]
- Sabino Ocan Odoki (2010-10-20 - present)[5]
Another priest of this diocese Martin Luluga was appointed auxiliary bishop of Gulu in 1986.[8]
Notable people
Bernardo Sartori, a priest and missionary was venerated by Pope Francis on 13th December, 2021. [9]