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Bishop-elect of Kumi sues Church of Uganda over cancelled consecration
What you need to know:
The Rev Oode says the revocation of his consecration has tarnished his reputation and caused economic loss, psychological torture and mental anguish
The Rev Charles Okunya Oode, whose consecration and enthronement as the second Bishop of Kumi Diocese was revoked, is seeking an injunction to stop the the election of another overseer until his suit is disposed of.
The Rev Oode’s consecration was revoked by Archbishop Stephen Kazimba of the Church of Uganda on December 16, 2019.
In a suit filed on September 14 at the Kampala Civil Division, the Rev Oode sued the registered trustees of the Church of Uganda (CoU).
He says the revocation of his consecration tarnished his reputation and has caused economic loss, psychological torture and mental anguish.
The Bishop-elect states that he has a right to the religious office, which the defendant is threatening by his actions.
“My client communicated his notice of his intent to sue a couple of months ago, but the defendant remained adamant,” the suit reads in part.
Mr Caleb Alaka, the lawyer for the Rev Oode, said as a result of the defendant’s actions, more than 7,500 Christians of Kumi Diocese led by Mr Silvanus Isiagi, a former Obote I government minister, petitioned the archbishop demanding that the plaintiff be consecrated.
Mr Isaigi, said the election of the Rev Oode as the Bishop of Kumi Diocese was postponed as a result of some malicious allegations that led to a probe conducted by three bishops on January 20, as approved by the House of Bishops sitting at Boroboro in Lira.
He added that the findings submitted to the House of Bishops in Mityana on February 2 exonerated Mr Oode and the petitioners demanding that a date be set for ‘scientific’ consecration of the bishop.
“Your lord, this will bring to an end the impasse the diocese currently finds itself in and the baseless accusation detrimental on personalities of the church leadership, and the Anglican Church as whole,” Mr Isaigi said.
The suit adds that on December 16, 2019, the archbishop communicated to the Rev Oode that there were complaints raised against him regarding his first relationship with one Dinah Amongin, and that the couple got children for which the plaintiff was to respond in writing.
The Rev Oode said despite the defendant refusing to avail him with the copy of the complaints (by some concerned Christians), he made a response on the said allegations, adding that the same woman, and her father, Stephen Onyait, also wrote to the archbishop in respect of the allegations.
Mr Alaka said on September 1, the archbishop wrote to the plaintiff further requesting him to respond to the resolutions of the House of Bishops, stated in his letter dated February 5, addressed to the diocesan chancellor as to why his election was revoked.
“The bishop-elect has nothing to respond to since the House of Bishops already took a decision against him,” Mr Alaka said.
