Bishop Hiiboro Inspires Unity and Development in Riimenze During Historic Confirmation of Over 300 Children
Bishop Hiiboro Inspires Unity and Development in Riimenze During Historic Confirmation of Over 300 Children
By Joseph Chakaya and Simone Mboride
The Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio witnessed a significant spiritual event as Bishop Barani Eduardo on Sunday 10th August 2024, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to over 300 children at the Our Lady Assumption of Catholic Parish in Riimenze.
The Bishop's arrival was met with a warm and enthusiastic reception from the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Charles Mbikoyo, alongside thousands of Christians and members of religious congregations gathered in Riimenze.
In his homily, Bishop Hiiboro conveyed three profound messages to the newly confirmed. He reminded the children that they are beloved children of God, urging them to love one another.
He also emphasized the importance of caring for and cherishing their homeland, Riimenze. Lastly, he encouraged them to build strong friendships, especially with people from other counties, and to learn from their positive qualities.
After the celebration, Bishop Hiiboro actively engaged in the community’s development by planting various types of trees, including mango, orange, and coffee, around the parish. He was joined by different groups from the parish and community leaders in this effort. In addition to the tree planting, he held meetings with the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) and various church groups, focusing on strategies for the continued development of the parish.
Reflecting on Riimenze’s significance, he noted that Riimenze is home to the largest and tallest church building in the eastern part of the diocese, is the birthplace of the King of the Azande Kingdom, and is where he began his seminary journey.
On the other hand, Rev. Fr. Charles Mbikoyo, who has been the Parish Priest of Riimenze Parish since 2022, expressed deep gratitude to Bishop Hiiboro for his visit, marking a significant moment as the Sacrament of Confirmation was administered after a long period.
Fr. Mbikoyo encouraged devotional groups within the parish to engage in cultivation, for self-reliance in church development.
"I have instilled in the Christians that financial support is no longer coming from Rome for the development of our church. It is now up to us to cooperate and raise funds to build our church," he said. He noted that several chapels and centers have already begun purchasing iron sheets for their buildings, moving away from grass-thatched structures that are prone to fire hazards.
In addition, Fr. Charles has been a strong advocate for planting coffee as a means to generate income for the chapels and centers, ensuring they can fund necessary items like hosts and wine. He also highlighted the progress made at the parish school, where Sister Elizabeth has been instrumental in renovating the teachers’ office, with plans to bring new teachers soon.
The head of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) appreciating the work Fr. Charles has done said, "If you want to collect more termites, you need to prepare a big bundle of the lamp." He rated Fr. Charles at 98% for his spiritual leadership, noting that since his arrival, Fr. Charles has visited all the chapels and centers in Riimenze, held numerous meetings with all parish groups, including the PPC, and overall elevated the parish to a new level.
