Pope Francis has formally conferred the pallium on Archbishop-elect Raphael Wokorach, a significant step preparing him for his upcoming installation as the new Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese next month.
The pallium, symbolizing the archbishop’s authority and his unity with the Holy See, was presented to Archbishop-elect Wokorach during a ceremony held this afternoon at the Vatican.
Archbishop Wokorach, succeeding Archbishop John Baptist Odama, will be officially installed on July 14th at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Gulu. This transition marks a pivotal moment for the Gulu Archdiocese, which has been led by Archbishop Odama for more than two decades.
The pallium holds deep symbolic meaning in the Catholic Church, representing the archbishop’s participation in papal authority, particularly over his ecclesiastical province.
Crafted from lamb’s wool, the pallium consists of a narrow white band, approximately 5 cm wide, adorned with six black crosses, some of which may be embellished with precious stones. The wool used in its creation is traditionally sourced from lambs blessed on the feast of St. Agnes, adding to its sacred significance.