Youth Leadership Training and Visitor from Vatican – Consolation to Many
By Fr. Victor Awity, SJ
On the 7th and 8th November 2024, a leadership retreat and training program was conducted at the multi-Purpose Centre in Adjumani, bringing together thirty youth leaders (fifteen females and fifteen male) aged 16-22 years old. These participants were carefully selected from six chapels within the Adjumani refugee settlement under pastoral care of JRS, with the aim of equipping them with essential leadership skills and knowledge to drive positive change in their community.
On the 10th November, the pastoral coordinator and agents welcomed a high profile delegation from Vatican. The undersecretary of His Eminence Cardinal Michale Szerny SJ, who is also Cardinal Elect His Eminence Fabio Baggio and Fr. Dumisani Vilakati visited Adjumani Refugee settlements. They are both serving and working at Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. They were Accompanied by His grace Luigi Bianco (The Holy Father’s representative to Uganda) and Bishop Sabino Odoki (Bishop od Arua diocese). Their visit was a consolation to Pastoral agents serving in different refugee settlements in Adjumani and the refugee community at large. They had a brief moment at JRS office and at Scalabrini father’s refugee projects. There are 24 refugee settlements in both adjumani and Moyo districts. This delegation from Vatican come with a consoling message from the Holy father “The encounter with Refugees and migrants is an opportunity to meet Christ and to grow in Love, compassion and faith”. There was a beautiful celebration of the Eucharist Presided by the Nuncio, Luigi Bianco. Many of our refugee brothers and sisters attended the mass. This celebration marked the 110th world day for Migrants and refugees. The theme was “God walks with His People”
Blessings and Karibuni Sana to Adjumani Refugee Settlement.
