By Fr Paul Miapkwap,
The Catholic Bishop of Shendam Most Rev. Dr Philip Davou Dung on Wednesday donated wheelchairs to persons with physical disabilities in the diocese to facilitate their mobility.
The Bishop presented the wheelchairs to the beneficiaries at the Divine Mercy Catholic Hospital Luuwokur Total. In his address he said that the gesture was to ameliorate the plight of the beneficiaries as part of Church’s work of charity and commitment to better the lives of the physically- challenged in the diocese and to give them a sense of belonging.
He appreciated the intercessory role of our blessed Mother Mary as we celebrate her birthday today and he advised the beneficiaries not to be discouraged by their physical challenges but be focused and determined to achieve their goals in life.
Sr Bernadette Duru OP, the Sister in charge of Divine Mercy Hospital in her remarks, lauded the bishop for putting smiles on the faces of the beneficiaries and pray God to continue to bless the diocese of Shendam.
In his good will mesage Rev Fr Silvanus Ali, the JDPC Coodinator stated that since the inception of the diocese, the church had worked with several partners at the state, national and global levels toward the inclusion of people with disabilities in its programmes, that the Muslims and other Christian denominations have always enjoyed the generosity of the Catholic Church.
The representative of the CAN chairman Shendam Local Government Mr Mathias Dajan thanked the church in Shendam for this kind gesture
The JNI chairman of Shendam Local Govement represented Secretary Alhaji Sarajo Babayo commended the Bishop for rekindling the the hope of the people with disabilities to live their dreams and calls for unity and peace.
The beneficiaries were drawn from Kwande, Langtang, Shendam and Kwa, deanaries, two Muslim from Shendam and Wase and two members from other christian denominations
The beneficiaries, who before the gifts had faced challenges moving from one place to the other, could not hide their joy, while others were overwhelmed with emotions as they broke down shedding tears of joy in the process.
Responding on behalf of other beneficiaries, Mr Yohana Paishol thanked the Bishop for donating the wheelchairs to them.
The Laity council chairman of Shendam Diocese Mr Patrick Kwadi thanked the Bishop and call on the sons and daughters of Shendam Diocese to support the Bishop in completing the hospital building.
The Parish Priest of St. Charles Lwanga Total was filled with Joy and appreciation to the church for donating the wheelchairs to persons with physical disabilities.
The Vicar General Very Rev Fr Raymond Gofut congratulated the Bishop and said that the gesture would go a long way in improving the living standard of living of persons with disabilities. He appreciated the effort of the management and staff of the Divine Mercy Hospital. He thanked the other Christian denominations and the Muslim community in Shendam and Wase for coming and urged them to work together and live in peace and unity with one another.
The occasion ended with prayer and the Bishop gave the final blessings to all present.
