I will assume that by the time I am writing this, you must have heard about a one Francis Ojok. For those who haven’t, here is a run-down on him: he’s a teacher in Gulu Archdiocese and a concerned Catholic.
Recently, he wrote a letter to Kampala Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere requesting the church to stop organizing thanksgiving Mass for the MP of Nyendo-Mukungwe Division, Mathias Mpuuga.
This letter broke out following allegations of corruption against Mr. Mpuuga upon receiving 500 million shillings service award.
The politics, facts and other issues surrounding this matter are already public so I won’t get into them now. However, it is important to mention that social media has been awash with this letter being used as an instrument in the current political games.
Putting the political aspects aside, as a concerned Catholic myself, I couldn’t let certain issues in Ojok’s letter go unaddressed. For those who wish to write similar letters, it’s important not to repeat the same mistakes.
While Teacher Ojok has every right to voice his concerns, his petition falls short on several counts. As a teacher, he is expected to be a fountain of knowledge, and as a Catholic, he should be well-versed in the pillars of faith and the functioning of the Church. Sadly, Ojok’s letter exposes a worrying lack of understanding.
First and foremost, the letter was incorrectly addressed to Archbishop Ssemogerere of the Kampala Archdiocese instead of the Masaka Diocese, where Mpuuga’s activities are. This shows a lack of understanding of the Church’s hierarchy—a surprising oversight for a devout Catholic and teacher.
The proper address for such a letter should have been P.O. Box 70, Masaka, at the bishop’s house, ensuring it reached Serverus Jjumba Jjumba’s desk. Hope it not too late now. But, the point is; Understanding the ecclesiastical hierarchy is crucial, especially on such serious issues.
Ojok’s petition further falters in its misunderstanding of the Church’s role in such ceremonies. He sees the thanksgiving Mass as a platform for condoning corruption.
On the contrary, the Church uses these gatherings to preach repentance and moral integrity. The mass is a space for sinners and rightness alike to come together, seek forgiveness, and strive for moral betterment.
Moreover, Ojok’s mention of repentance shows a fundamental misunderstanding of Catholic practice. Confession in the Catholic Church is a private matter between the individual and the priest, typically conducted in a confessional booth.
Public repentance is not the Church’s standard practice, and suggesting otherwise indicates a lack of familiarity with the Church’s sacraments.
However, the most troubling aspect of Ojok’s letter is his use of tribalism as a weapon. Introducing tribal politics into this issue is both dangerous and counterproductive.
The Catholic Church teaches unity and brotherhood among all people, as emphasized in Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Using tribalism to blackmail the Church not only undermines its teachings but also sows discord among the faithful.
Ojok’s approach not only weakens his argument but also tarnishes the moral high ground from which he seeks to speak. Instead of fostering constructive dialogue, his tactics risk deepening divisions and promoting mistrust.
As Jesus said in Matthew 7:5, “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Ojok would do well to reflect on his approach and seek to engage more thoughtfully and respectfully.
In summary, while Teacher Ojok’s concerns about corruption are might hold ground, his execution leaves much to be desired. By ensuring accuracy, understanding Church hierarchy, and avoiding divisive tactics, he can make his voice heard more effectively.
Until then, Ojok’s petition serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of ignorance, blackmail, and tribal politics. Let us hope he finds his way to the confessional box soon, not just for his own sake, but for the unity and integrity of the community he seeks to protect.
The Writer is a Devoted Catholic
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