Helicopter and farewells

Today (Sunday 4 September 2016), there was great anticipation in Nebbi as we awaited the helicopter provided by the Ugandan government to bring the body of Bishop Emeritus Fredrick to Nebbi Cathedral.  As seems to be the norm in Uganda, the 11:00am anticipated arrival time was optimistic and the helicopter came into view just before 12:30pm.  The crowds flocked to the landing site (the football ground about 5 minutes walk from the Cathedral).

 

Amidst clouds of dust (the earlier heavy downpour had helped to dampen the dust somewhat), the helicopter came into land,

 

 

 

 

From here, Bishop Fredrick's body was carried in procession to the Cathedral.  There, I would estimated around 1,500 people gathered to pay their last respects to  much loved Bishop.

 

In his address, Bishop Sanctus spoke of Bishop Fredrick's commitment to bringing the many tribal fractions of the West Nile together to live in harmony.  His episcopal motto was "That they may be one".  He was also committed to the needs of the poor and offered support to all in need regardless of faith or tribe.  As I listened to Bishop Sanctus, it struck me that many of the qualities Bishop Fredrick had shown in his life were those that Mother Teresa had shown.