Prime
Bishop Dan Zoreka got his calling while smoking a cigarette
In the Church of Uganda, enthronement of a bishop has always taken about five months of preparations but with Dan Zoreka, it took only four days, writes Robert K. Muhereza. On October 10, Rt Rev Dan Zoreka 48 was consecrated the new Bishop of Kinkiizi diocese in Kanungu District. He is also the first clergy to become bishop without the rank of canon.
Rev Zoreka rose from a humble background; his father had three wives and was a prominent tailor in the area. He is married to Florah and they have two children; one in P.3 and another in nursery school.
After P.7, he joined a grade two teacher training college and after two years in service, joined Bible College in Rukungiri District, where he attained a certificate in theology. He later joined Bishop Barham University College in Kabale, where he attained a diploma in theology before joining Mukono University to attain a degree in theology. He also holds a post graduate diploma in public health.
Rev Zoreka has risen through all the church ranks of lay reader, parish priest and diocesan health coordinator, a post he held up to the time of his appointment as the bishop; he has been in the church service for the last 18 years. “I grew up as a Christian and active member of my local church at Rwangoboka, but I had never accepted Jesus as my saviour. One day in 1991, I was hiding in a bush smoking when the voice of the Lord asked me; ‘For how long will you continue to live a pretentious life?’”
“I immediately threw away the cigarette and went to Rwangoboka Church of Uganda, where I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. Life has since become more meaningful to me,” he said. “I was supervising the health facilities in Mpungu sub-county when I received the phone call that I had been elected the bishop of Kinkiizi Diocese. I felt so happy and I thank the diocesan synod for having confidence in me,” Zoreka said.
“I considered myself a nobody but the Lord whom I have consistently served for 18 years has, in his amazing way, called me somebody. I will use my new ministerial position to preach the gospel of salvation, reconciliation, peace and development,” he added.
The consecration of the second bishop of Kinkiizi Diocese was scheduled for May this year but a section of Christians protested the bishop-elect, Rev Canon Bernard Bagaba, claiming that he had fathered children outside his marriage, an allegation that was proved wrong after a DNA test.
Thereafter, the same section of Christians threatened to sue the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, claiming that the method used to elect Bagaba was not proper. Loud cheers of joy were heard as Bishop Zoreka descended from the pavilion to give Holy Communion to the thousands of Christians that attended his consecration.
The head of Laity, Kinkiizi Diocese, Canon Charles Byarugaba, described Bishop Zoreka as one of the hardest working clergymen in the diocese and asked all the Christians and the clergy to work with him as they have with the Rtd Bishop John Wilson Ntegyerize. “I appeal to all of us, to respect church institutions and use them fairly, avoid recklessness and, work towards peace, reconciliation and love for one another,” Canon Byarugaba said.
The chairman, organising committee of the consecration function, also Security Minister, Amama Mbabazi, congratulated Zoreka. “I thank the loser, Rev Canon Bagaba, for accepting the outcome of the house of bishops and also attending this ceremony; this shows Christian love. I want to congratulate and appeal to Bishop Zoreka to reconcile the divided Christians of this diocese for development. I thank the outgoing Bishop John Wilson Ntegyerize for the tremendous work done in causing development,” Mbabazi said.
Mbabazi donated a heifer to both the incoming and outgoing bishops and pledged his commitment to work with the new bishop for the good of the people of Kinkiizi Diocese.
Although President Yoweri Museveni arrived shortly after the consecration ceremony, which was presided over by Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi, the function gained momentum when he presented a brand new Pajero to Bishop Zoreka and a brown envelop to the outgoing bishop, which he said contained five heifers. “Tell Christians to hate poverty because it is a sin to be poor.
Preach prosperity for all besides the usual Bible summons. Use church land for modernised agriculture to supplement your incomes. Rich people can cause development in their church, unlike the poor. Christians must stop rebellious acts that result in terrible anger and hatred for one another,” Mr Museveni said. “If I, a soldier, do not develop anger or hatred, why would born again Christians? Be simple and humble before God. It is my being simple that has helped me win several battles,” the President said.
