BY IRENE LAMUNU
Lodonga Minor Basilica is found in Arua Diocese. It is the oldest Basilica in Sub-Saharan Africa. This church is dedicated to Mary Sultana of Africa. One unique thing about this Church is that it was built in an area and district, which is predominantly Moslem. It’s the only Catholic Church midst Moslems along Koboko-Yumbe road.
The Parish of Lodonga was established in 1927 and on 26 May 1961, Lodonga Church was made a minor basilica by Pope John XXIII. Lodonga Basilica is the first Basilica in Sub-Saharan Africa and the fourth oldest in Africa, after the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa in Algiers, Algeria (1875), Basilica of St Augustine in Annaba; Algeria (1914 ) and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis in Carthage, Tunisia (1918).
The Parish Priest of the Basilica Episcopal Vicar, MSGR Constantine Avaga revealed that the Basilica attracts pilgrims from all over Arua Diocese. Last year, 1500 Pilgrims from all over the diocese celebrated the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary at the Basilica; which is the day the Pilgrimage is made every year.
This Church is a sign of unity and divine Providence. The Church was built by Fr Bernardo Sartori MCCJ. When he arrived in Lodonga, Fr Sartori had an idea of bringing the Muslims to Christ with the idea of constructing the Church.
Bishop Angelo Negri, assisted by Fr Peter Vignato MCCJ helped to choose the place where the Church would be located. Even after choosing the place where the Church would be located, it took Bishop Negri sometime before he could accept Fr Sartori to begin construction of the big Church.
