2023
Bishop Daniel Adwok, the Auxiliary Bishop of Khartoum, Appeals for Assistance Upon the Church Personnel fleeing Sudan
By Sr. Henriette Anne FSSA
As the violent conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) worsens, Bishop Daniel Adwok, the Auxiliary Bishop of Khartoum has appealed for assistance upon the people fleeing from Sudan, especially the church personnel who are currently in the borders of South Sudan, Paloch, Renk and Jodan.
“I am more concerned about the Church personnel heading to the border of South Sudan, priests, and religious sisters. Quite a number of them are entering Kosti and Renk and need to be assisted”.
Addressing the Sudan and South Sudan Bishops Conference he added, “I believe the Secretariat of Bishops can assist in handling the situation in coordination with the priests in Renk especially. The planes airlifted people from Paloch to Juba. Some effort could be made by the Secretariat staff to see that the sisters especially could be airlifted from Paloch to Juba and in Juba appeals could be made to the religious houses to host those sisters and priests until they plan their further destinations.
In a message addressed to the Chairman and all the members of Sudan and South Sudan Conference of Bishops by Bishop Daniel concerning the situation stated that “as you well know your Excellency, during the past four weeks, Sudan has been in conflict between the ruling regime and the RDF militia. Many people have fled the country (Sudan), some by air, land, and sea. Among them are also Church personnel. Others are still finding their way out. Among the main exit ports that are now still functioning are, the Egyptian border and the border with South Sudan via Joda and Renk. Joda, Renk, and Paloch towns are now congested with people fleeing from the conflict coming from all directions of Sudan, not only Southern Sudanese but also people of other nationalities.
According to the message shared on Friday, May 5, 2023, Bishop Daniel said that the crisis is going beyond their capacity and called upon their partners, the CARITAS Confederation and other charities to assist them.
He further revealed that “the Present moment it appears that, there is no one single organization having the capacity to handle the emergency response needed for the people fleeing the conflict in Sudan. There is a need to sound an alarm bell”.
“In Renk, there is Fr. Akile +211 912503333 who can be the contact person for the Secretariat in Juba. There are also people in Paloch who could be of help through Fr. Akile”. He noted.
“In Juba, I think there are people who could also assist especially connected with the flights. I think we can try to do something”, he appealed.
He, therefore, called upon the Lord to enlighten them to respond to the needs of their people, especially the Church Personnel.
2023
Symbolic Gifts that Christians from Western Equatoria gave the Apostolic Nuncio
By Joseph Ernesto
Religious leaders and Parishioners in the Catholic Diocese of Tambura Yambio offered numerous traditional gifts including Bicycles to the Apostolic Nuncio of South Sudan and Kenya as a sign of unity and love in Christ on 30th April 2023.
Addressing the audience in a get-together ceremony organized at the Diocesan secretariat Curia, the Apostolic Nuncio welcomed the good gesture shown by the Christian community of Western Equatoria, urging the faithful Christians to always build their lives in Christ as He is the only way to salvation.
While in Yambio, Archbishop Bert Van Megen Hubertus ordained three candidates to the priesthood at St Mary Mother of God, Yambio.
His Grace Bert Van Megen urged the priests not to prioritize their personalities in order to represent Christ in their daily life. ’’The persona of a priest has to disappear behind the altar; whenever at the service of the Lord, we represent Christ, not ourselves; we, therefore, have to behave outside as indoors, showing Christ-like behaviours to the people of God.’’
He expressed his thankfulness to the people of the Catholic Diocese of Tambura Yambio adding that whatever they have offered is for Christ that he and other priests represent. ‘’ whatever you have presented here is not for me but for an important person who is Christ that, I represent Christ.’’
For his part, His Lordship Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala thanked the Vatican ambassador and charge Daffair of the Vatican in Juba for their willingness to come despite unfortunate changes in the planned program.
Bishop Eduardo pleads for more future commitments to promote evangelization in the Diocese adding that the Nuncio should forward the plea of the Diocese to the Holy Father Pope Francis.
Hundreds of parishioners brought their gifts as a means to seek blessings.
The gathering started with the presentation of gifts from Deaneries, Parishes, Centres, Chapels, religious denominations, and different entities of the Diocese including individual gifts.
The business community offered two brand new bicycles described as City Bike, one for Nuncio and one for Monseigneur urging that the bicycles should facilitate transportation for evangelization in their destinies.
Among the gifts were, honey, various fruits, ground nuts, and cassava local and traditional assets to Nuncio, Monseigneur, and the missionary sisters.
2023
“If the Dignity of Work is to be Protected, then the Basic Rights of Workers Must be Respected,” says Bishop Hiiboro
By Joseph Ernesto
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tambura Yambio noted that the basic rights of workers must be respected, the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiatives.
In his homily at St. Mary Mother of God Yambio, His Lordship Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala says work is more than a way to make a living, it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation “if the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected” he explained.
He further mentioned that work is a necessity, part of the meaning of life on this earth, a path to growth, human development, and personal fulfillment adding that helping the poor financially must always be a provisional solution in the face of pressing needs.
He urged the government of South Sudan to move on to work in order to boost the economy of the country to eradicate poverty. “I would like to remind everyone, especially government to engaged in boosting our nation’s economic and social assets, that the primary capital to be safeguarded and valued is man, the human person is his or her integrity”:
The prelate added that in many cases, poverty results from a violation of the dignity of human work, either because work opportunities are limited through unemployment or underemployment because the low value is put on the work and rights that flow from it, and the right to a just wage and to the personal security of the worker and his or her family.
He revealed that the importance of the associations is that “all people have the right to economic initiatives, to productive work, to just wages and benefits, to decent working conditions, as well as to organize and join unions or associations.
Catholic Diocese of Tambura Yambio celebrated its patron saint, St. Joseph the Worker on Monday 1st May 2023 under the theme “centralizing on the dignity of work and of workers”.
2023
“Accept the Call of God and Work Towards the Will of God in His Vineyard”, Nuncio to Newly Ordained Priests
By Joseph Ernesto and Arkangelo Rangabia
The apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan Archbishop Van Bert Megen ordained three deacons into the priesthood on Sunday 30th April 2023 in the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio at St. Mary Mother of God Parish in Yambio.
The three young men ordained into priesthood were Deacon Santino Wise Makuei born in Gogrial and joined seminary under Nakindo Sene Zereda Nzara, Deacon Paingbafuyo Luke Doboyo, and deacon Bagaipai John both born in Ezo Parish of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio.
The three were ordained into diaconate on 3rd June 2022 in Nakindo Sene Zereda Nzara.
In Homily, His Grace Van Bert the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan called on religious to accept the call of God and work towards the will of God in his Vineyard.
“Priests are called among their own people in order to serve them, therefore they should serve wholeheartedly. As Christ laid his life for us, they, in turn, should lay their life for the people of God”, he said.
He further called upon the Christians to remain united as they work for the universal church of God in which there is no segregation by race, origin, and language adding that the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio through the ordination is expressing the unity of the universal church we are talking about.
He promised to continue praying for the people of the Diocese and South Sudan at large and he will forward any of the people’s queries to the Pope.
Multitude attended the occasion from different countries such as Mexico, Texas, and Nairobi, USA among others as well as government officials, NGO employees, Kingdom representatives, and other denominations including the Bishop of the Episcopal Church of Sudan and South Sudan Bishop of Ezo Diocese Rt. Rev. Ephraim Bangisa who is said to have been accompanied by the three ordained into priesthood two are originally from Regina Mundi Catholic Parish Ezo including Makuei who completed his Pastoral work in the same Parish of Ezo.
The occasion was organized to take place in Ngboko Source Yubu in the Western part of Western Equatoria State about 135 miles from Yambio. The ordination was to be part of 100 years celebration of faith in Ave Maria Parish Ngboko but was abruptly relocated due to security instability in the area.
Many Christians from mid-west and western deaneries used motorcycles and bicycles to come and witness the ordination and to show love for the ordained. The journey of faith of these Christians was self-sponsored through the financial scarcity in the country.
The centenary celebration was postponed until further notice according to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio who called the Christians to remain in hope of the change due to insecurity.
The apostolic Nuncio in Yambio on Saturday at the Yambio airstrip where he was warmly welcomed by faithful laying down their sheets of clothes and waving of hands and leaves for the Nuncio as a means to acquire blessings.
His Lordship Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, urged the faithful to welcome different people into the Diocese since Catholic Church is a universal church.
His Lordship thanked the Nuncio for his love, commitment, and humility for the people of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio urging him to continuously visit the Diocese as his presence shows the universality of the Catholic Church to the Christians.
2023
Unite in Christ to Build a Better Society, says the Apostolic Nuncio
By Joseph Ernesto
The Vatican ambassador to the Republic of South Sudan and Kenya has urged the Seminarians in the Catholic Diocese of Tambura Yambio to unite in Jesus Christ because, through His Atonement, teaching, hope, and peace, He helps us change our lives, face our trials, and move forward.
Addressing the seminarians during the Eucharist celebration at Diocesan secretariat curia, His Grace Archbishop Bert Van Megen talked of the importance of celebrating the Eucharist, saying; Jesus Christ is the savior of the world, “As we come unto him, He saves us, feel us with His love and brings us hope” he explained.
He added that celebrating the Eucharist is not a private devotion but rather a communal gathering much like a family meal, adding that for Catholics, the Holy Eucharist is very important as instituted at the last supper more than 2000 years ago.
The Apostolic Nuncio stressed that the difficulties in lives cannot last forever if we believe in Jesus Christ adding that “suffering is in our lives because we are living in a broken world, some suffering is due to sinful and wrong choices”.
He urged the people of Western Equatoria State and South Sudan at large to unite in Christ for peace to prevail in every aspect of life
H.G Archbishop Bert Van Megen Hubertus Matheus Maria and his accompanied delegation were warmly received by a huge crowd of parishioners who rallied at Yambio airstrip to give a welcoming ceremony for the Pope’s representative in the two African Counties.
2023
ST. JOSEPH THE PATRON SAINT OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF TOMBURA – YAMBIO
1st May St Joseph’s Day
In 1955, an additional feast day was declared by Pope Pius XII and is celebrated on May 1 as the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. This date is also International Workers’ Day and believed to reflect Joseph as the patron saint of workers.
Who is St Joseph for us?
The husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus, St Joseph is often referred to as the father in the shadows.
In fact, none of Joseph’s words are written in the gospels and little was recorded about his life.
Joseph is the patron saint of the Universal Church, families, fathers, expectant mothers, travelers, immigrants, house sellers and buyers, craftsmen, engineers and working people, among others. In the grotto behind the Chapel of Saint Joseph stands a statue of St. Joseph the Dreamer.
We, you, me and St Joseph
Saint Joseph is a man of great spirit.
He is great in faith, not because he speaks his own words, but above all because he listens to the words of the Living God.
He listens in silence. And his heart ceaselessly perseveres in the readiness to accept the Truth contained in the word of the Living God. Like St Joseph, how strong is your faith in God?
How much trust do you have in God?
In the face of the ups and downs of life, do you believe that God will bring to fruition his plan for you?
Yes, you can be another St Joseph!
Our New Month Blessings
Through the fervent intercession of St Joseph and our Blessed Mother Virgin Mary, may this month of May be for you and yours, a period of mighty divine surprises and may God’s presence be unceasingly felt in your life, home and all your thoughtful endeavors, Amen!
Happy New Month of May!
Happy feast of CDTY Patron Saint of St Joseph!
Baira Bandaroni du!
St Joseph the Worker from the church in Ave Maria
2023
Participation in the Ordinary General Synodal Assembly Extended to “Non–Bishops”, (priests, deacons, consecrated men and women, laity)
By Sr. Henriette Anne FSSA
Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the General Secretariat of the Synod, and Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, Archbishop of Luxembourg and General Rapporteur of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, in a statement shared with the Vatican Press office, informed the press about the Holy Father’s decision to extend participation in the Synodal Assembly to “non-bishops” (priests, deacons, consecrated men and women, laity).
In their statement, the Holy Father has added an additional 70 people representing various groups of faithful people and they will be chosen by Pope from among a list of 140 people selected by five International Reunions of Bishops Conferences.
“There are no longer auditors. Instead, an additional 70 non-bishop members have been added who represent various groupings of the faithful of the People of God (priests, consecrated women, deacons, lay faithful) and who come from the local Churches. They will be chosen by the Pope from among a list of 140 people selected (and not elected) by the five International Reunions of Bishops’ Conferences (CELAM, CCEE, SECAM, FABC, FCBCO), the Assembly of Patriarchs of Eastern Catholic Churches and, jointly, by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Canada (20 for each of these ecclesial realities)”.
The letter states that the five women religious and five men religious elected by their respective organizations of Superiors General (UISG, for women religious; and, USG, for male religious) will also be eligible to vote. The ten men and women will replace the ten clerics of the institutes of Consecrated Life who attended the past Synod Assemblies.
Speaking on the election process, the Holy Father added that all elections to be held in plenary and by secret ballot by the respective Synods, Councils, and Bishop’ and Conferences must be ratified by the Pope and their names shall not be made public until the Pope confirms their election.
The changes made by Pope Francis on Wednesday 26th April 2023 further indicate that the Dioceses or Archdioceses without Episcopal Conference may elect a bishop.
“Even (arch)dioceses that are not part of an Episcopal Conference may elect a bishop”.
The General Secretariat of the Synod’s letter emphasizes that “the Assembly will have the opportunity to reflect on its own concrete experience with a view to formulating proposals on how to proceed in the future”.
“This
decision reinforces the solidity of the process as a whole, by incorporating
into the Assembly the living memory of the preparatory phase, through the
presence of some of those who were its protagonists,
thus restoring the image of a Church-People of God, founded on the constitutive
relationship between common priesthood and
ministerial priesthood, and giving visibility to the circular relationship between the prophetic function of the
People of God and the discernment function
of the Pastors. Thanks to a better integration with the preparatory phase, the
Assembly makes concrete the hope that
it may “an expression of episcopal collegiality within an entirely
synodal Church” (Francis, Address on the 50th
anniversary of the Synod).
It is therefore in the role/function
of memory that the presence of non-bishops is included, and not in that of representation. In this way, the specifically
episcopal nature of the Synodal Assembly is not affected, but rather is confirmed. This is shown first
of all by the numerical ratio between bishops
and non-bishops, the latter being less than 25% of the total number of Assembly
members. But above all this is shown by
the way in which the non-bishops are appointed: in fact, they are not
elected by some demos or coetus,
whose representation they would take on, but are appointed by the
Holy Father on the proposal of the bodies through
which episcopal collegiality is realized at the level of continental areas, rooting their presence in the
exercise of pastoral discernment”.
2023
South Sudan’s Interfaith Council Concerned about Rising Violence, Calling Upon Leaders to Rise Above Politics of Hate and Division and Join Hands to Promote Peace
By Sr. Henriette Anne FSSA
Faith groups in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State (WES) have expressed concerns over the escalating violence in the region stating that as a Country they have a history of war and no responsible leader should sound the drums of war calling upon them to “rise above the politics of hate and division and join hands for what makes peaceful coexistence and promotion of life”.
In their letter dated Thursday, April 27th, 2023, and signed by leaders of the Inter-Faith Council for Peace Initiative including the Council Chairperson, Bishop Hiiboro Kussala of South Sudan’s Catholic Diocese of Tombura -Yambio, the leaders lamented over the “incitement of one tribe against another and instigation of one community against another”.
“Of recent, one cannot but be saddened by the unbelievable amount of harsh speeches and utterances that are in circulation and fed into the ears and sprayed into the air for consumption. This aggravates the already existing tensions and fractures that we have observed in our communities over the years. All these are intimations that we live in an atmosphere of anger, bitterness, violence, hate, war, displacements, loss of property, and psychological imbalances. We have observed that there is incitement of one tribe against another and instigation of one community against another. It is very irresponsible for leaders to utter threats of violence and war.”
They added, “it is the responsibility of every citizen to consolidate the relative peace that we enjoy in WES and safeguard it with all zealousness.”
The Inter-faith Council for Peace Initiative in WES has urged the citizens to be on guard against the infiltration of foreign influence and elements that can implicate, divide and destabilize WES.
“We should be on guard against the infiltration of foreign influence and elements that can implicate, divide and destabilize WES. The presence of the Ambororo and Seleka in WES is a national security threat that needs to be addressed while taking into account the interest and well-being of our communities and the national integrity of the Republic of South Sudan”.
The religious leaders noted that they are concerned with the insecurity in Rii-Yubu Payam caused by the conflicts on the border of South Sudan with the Central African Republic which has brought the three years long preparation for the centenary celebration to a halt.
The Inter-Faith Council for Peace Initiative leaders has further called upon all believers to speak the words of peace, to exude peace in their attitudes, and cultivate peace in every word they utter, stressing that “peace is the language of God to all believers and followers of all religions and Faith”.
They appealed to the WES leaders to desist from using harmful words and use words that build their communities, words that build bridges, words that reconcile and create relationships.
“as leaders, it is your responsibility to work for peace, for without peace, we cannot attain the development and prosperity that we all desire in WES. Our society needs peace, and peace will only be realized by consciously working for it and cultivating it. Hate Speech, defamation, character assassination can never be ingredients of peace”.
The leaders also appealed to the National Government to come closer and form an independent commission of credible persons to listen to the communities of WES and come out with the results of the investigation that will be made public.
To the International Communities, UN agencies, and Non-Governmental Originations, the leaders appealed to them, especially those tasked with monitoring and assisting in the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement to intensify their collaboration and support for peace initiatives in WES and the Republic of South Sudan at large.
“We appeal to all our believers and people of goodwill to do all it takes to ensure peace prevails and takes root in South Sudan. Above all, we urge our faithful to persevere in prayer. Pray! Pray! Pray for Peace”.
2023
Late Boboya William has Been Laid to Rest at his Father’s Resident Hai Kuzee in Yambio, with a Call from Bishop Eduardo Urging the Citizens not to “Take Law in their Hands”
BY Joseph Ernesto
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tambura Yambio Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, joined mourners for the burial of late Boboya William, the son of Western Equatorial’s famous Businessman Nyankagba Gbizaramba.
Boboya William Nyakangba was shot on 19th April 2023 at the entry to his residential house in Gudule West sug Zande by unknown gunmen in Juba and died on Saturday, April 22 2023 at Giada Military Hospital in Juba capital of South Sudan.
He was born on 8th -9-1989.
He has been put to rest at his father’s residence in Hai Kuzee of Yambio town. He has left behind four children.
Bishop Hiiboro speaking before the burial urges the family of the late William not to create division amongst themselves but should pray for his Saul to rest in peace as there is no clear information behind his unfortunate death.
He also called upon the citizens of Western Equatoria and South Sudan at large not to take the laws into their hands.
The catholic bishop described the late as a martyr of hard work; he previously worked as a logistic in the Catholic Diocese of Tambura Yambio.
2023
St. Theresa Mission Hospital Owns New Solar System to Provide Power for its Daily Activities
By Joseph Ernesto
A new solar system has been installed at St. Theresa Mission Hospital Nzara, Western Equatoria State, South Sudan to provide sufficient power in the hospital with 300 solar panels, 120Kw of solar, 120KWH Lithium battery and 110KVa generator.
According to co-owner of model electrical from Austria Mr. Simon Dingemanse the solar system will supply power for a maximum of ten years.
Mr. Simon the solar installation technician who has visited St. Theresa Mission Hospital for the second time on the purpose of installing a solar system to guarantee adequate power to run the Hospital said, “the Solar system will guarantee enough power in the Hospital for a maximum of more than ten years if managed well. The last installation had run efficiently for seven years and because the Hospital is very big that it is now running low”.
Mr. Simon urged the Hospital management to make better use of the power to run the laboratory and supply power for inpatients. He said they also have installed internet to enable them to monitor the system all the way from Australia.
St. Theresa Mission Hospital under the Catholic Diocese of Tambura Yambio has numerous departments that need power supply such as maternity ward, surgical ward, and blood bank, among many others.
Bishop Eduardo on his part noted that the Diocese remains extremely grateful to the friends of St. Theresa in Australia for passing the skills and knowledge to the young people within Western Equatoria and above all for the continual sustainable support for St. Theresa.
The prelate also acknowledged the support Australians are giving to their people who are refugees in Australia thanking them for not forgetting where they are coming from.
He also thanked Dr. Daniel Dolly for stepping forward in his activities to get this project realized by bringing engineers and scientists in Western Equatoria despite the bad stories that surround South Sudan.
He further urged the people of South Sudan to build good relationship, to do the same to their brothers and sisters around the world, “be generous, what you have share with those in need”.