David Okelo and Gildo Irwa, catechists and martyrs (+1918)

Biography

Young Ugandan catechists, David Okelo and Gildo Irwa, voluntarily brought the Gospel to Paimol, a distant and conflictive region. Recently baptized and confirmed, they agreed to replace a deceased catechist, aware of the insecurity of the place. They taught prayers, prepared catechumens, and gathered the community when there was no priest. In October 1918, some attackers demanded that they abandon catechism. Both refused to give up their mission and were killed. His youth and courage show that a newly received faith can quickly mature into total surrender.