Fr Victor MHM shares about the beginning of a new mission in Nabilatuk parish in the Moroto Diocese of Uganda. On 3 May 2025, Fr Victor and fellow missionary Fr Leonard MHM travelled to this new area to begin their work. They are the first Mill Hill Missionaries to serve in this part of Uganda.
A new Pope, a new Mission and new shepherds
By Saturday 3 May this year, the universal Church was in prayer ahead of the Conclave for the election of our new Pope. But 3 May also marked a significant moment in the history of the Mill Hill Missionaries – especially for Fr Leonard MHM and myself. That was the day we set out for Nabilatuk parish, a new mission area for the Mill Hill Missionaries.
While the Mill Hill Missionaries had previously evangelised in other areas of Uganda, including the nearby Soroti and Kotido Dioceses, this was the first time our society had been assigned to serve in Moroto Diocese.
Our new station
Our new mission station, St Theresa Nabilatuk Parish, has a deep missionary legacy first established by the Comboni Missionaries. It was later handed to the Apostles of Jesus and subsequently managed by Diocesan clergy. Now, through the kind invitation of the Bishop, the Mill Hill Missionaries have become the new shepherds of this community.
Nabilatuk Parish is located in the southern part of the Karamoja sub-region. The district is around 3,117 square kilometres, with a projected population of 111,700. The local community is mostly made up of farmers and livestock herders.
A warm welcome and a special Mass
We were warmly welcomed by the pastoral team, the outgoing parish priest, Fr Clement, his assistant, Fr Henry, and several members of the Parish Pastoral Council. We were introduced to the mission station and the Pastoral Coordinator formally handed over the mission to us.
The following day, Bishop Damiano presided over the Eucharistic celebration at the parish church. During the Mass, he formally introduced us and installed the new parish priest. The event was witnessed by Mill Hill Missionaries, Fr Mark and Fr Hillary.
It was a moment of mixed emotions but, overall, filled with joy. A large number of Christians attended, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the outgoing priests who had served the parish for over a decade. They also welcomed us warmly and pledged their support in building a synodal community committed to sharing the Gospel of Christ. The Bishop deeply appreciated the Mill Hill Missionaries for accepting his invitation to serve in the Diocese.
Getting to work
This first week in the parish has been a flurry of activities. We have been visiting various mission centres, familiarising ourselves with the area, meeting local Christians and learning about the parish boundaries. Thanks to the guidance of Fr Drajeru, this process has gone smoothly.
The parish is divided into two zones: the Nabilatuk Zone and the Lolachat Zone. The Bishop, responding to requests from the faithful, hopes that Lolachat may eventually be elevated to the status of a parish.
There are currently ten churches spread across both zones. But, unfortunately, many of these chapels have been reduced to ruins due to past insecurity and strong winds. In most cases, classrooms within schools now serve as temporary places of worship.
Despite these challenges, Nabilatuk remains rich in pastoral activity and is home to vibrant Christian communities. As Pope Francis reminded us, ‘hope does not disappoint.’ With that same spirit, we move forward, hopeful and committed, to minister and witness to the Gospel.
Pray for our mission
As the new ministers of a new Mill Hill Mission, we ask for your prayers as we look forward to fruitful and meaningful ministry in this blessed mission field. We realise, as Pope Leo XIV notes in his first speech, that:
‘We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, united, hand-in-hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward. We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs his light. Humanity needs him like a bridge to reach God and His love. You help us to build bridges with dialogue and encounter so we can all be one people always in peace.’
May St Joseph, our patron Saint, Mary the model and Mother of Missionaries and St Theresa of the Child Jesus, our Patron of the parish, intercede for us all as we dedicate ourselves to love and serve.