The Episcopal ordination of Most. Rev. Henry Aruna, Bishop of Makeni took place on Saturday, 5th January 2013 at May Park in Freetown. The Ordaining Prelate was Most Rev. Protase Rugambwa, Secretary Adjunct to the congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and President of the Pontifical Mission Societies. He was assisted by Most. Rev. George Antonysamy, Former Apostolic Nuncio to Sierra Leone, Liberia and The Gambia, and Most Rev. Patrick D. Koroma, President of the Inter Territorial Bishops Conference of The Gambia and Sierra Leone. Also in attendance were three Bishops from Nigeria, two Bishops from Liberia, one Bishop from Guinea and all the Sierra Leonean Bishops.

There were also representatives from the West African sub Region comprising of Priests, Religious and Lay Faithful who had come to grace this historic and momentous occasion. Need I mention the throngs of Parishioners and well wishers from all the four Dioceses in the country? It was a time to be proud of the Sierra Leonean Church, to be proud of the universal Catholic Church.

Most Rev. Henry Aruna succeeds Bishop George Biguzzi, SX (Emeritus) as the First Sierra Leonean Bishop appointed to the Diocese of Makeni and the Fifth Sierra Leonean Bishop. It is a clear sign that the Church in this country has come of age and we thank the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI for cherishing such great potentials in our own brothers and raising them to the dignity of the Episcopacy.

The Church of Sierra Leone thanks the numerous missionaries, men and women, who labored to plant the seed of Christianity in our country. The fruits of their labours are now blossoming and for this we are greatly indebted to them.

Long live Bishop Aruna of the Diocese of Makeni

Long live the Priests, Religious and Lay Faithful of the Diocese of Makeni

Long live the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.