The Catholic Bishop of Shendam Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Philip Dung on Wednesday donated wheelchairs to physically challenged persons in the diocese to facilitate their mobility.

The Bishop Dung made the presentation of his widows-mind to the beneficiaries at the Divine Mercy Catholic Hospital Luuwokur Total.

According to him, "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, applauded the bishop for putting smiles on the faces of the beneficiaries and pray God to continue to bless the diocese.

In his good will message 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, noting 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 Area Mr. Mathias Dajan thanked the church in Shendam for this kind gesture

However, Jama'atu Nasir Islam (JNI) chairman of Shendam LGA represented by Secretary Alhaji  Sarajo Babayo commended the Bishop for rekindling  the hope of people with disabilities to live their dreams and calls for unity and peace. 

The  beneficiaries were drawn from Kwande, Langtang, Shendam and  Kwa, deaneries, two Muslim from Shendam and Wase and two members  from other christian denominations. 


The beneficiaries, who before now had faced challenges moving from one place another, 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 the 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 the physically challenged.

The Vicar General, Very Rev.Fr Raymond Gofut congratulated the Bishop saying that the gesture would go a long way in improving the living standard of living of  the physically challenged persons. 

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.