In Inaugural “encounter” with Sudan/South Sudan’s Catholic Bishops, Apostolic Nuncio Explains His “principal function”

A representative of the Holy Father, he said, “should try to draw the local church to which he is sent into a stronger relationship with the Church Universal, or at least to make that relationship more vivid.”

Archbishop Horgan used St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (4:5-6) that outlines the unity in “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” and emphasizes the oneness of “God and Father of all” to explain how “all the local churches that make up the Catholic Church are linked by a communion of faith and love.”

“The Nuncio must try to give expression to that unity within the local church, between the local church and the Church of Rome, and with the other local churches spread throughout the world,” he told SSS-CBC members comprising Catholic Bishops in the eight Dioceses of South Sudan and their counterparts in the two Sudanese Episcopal Sees.

Archbishop Horgan also explained the Apostolic Nuncio’s function of “accompaniment”, referring to the Final Document of the multi-year Synod on Synodality, which concluded on October 27 at the Vatican.

“Bishops too need to be accompanied and supported in their ministry,” he said quoted Paragraph 71 of the Synod on Synodality Final Document, adding, “Indeed, this simple observation expresses part of the reason why the Pope sends his representatives to the local church.”

The representative of the Holy Father in South Sudan told SSS-CBC members that it is Pope Francis’ wish “to accompany” them their Episcopal ministry as “pastors of the local churches” and that “in turn, he also urges the bishops and priests to adopt this posture of accompaniment towards their people.”

Referring to part II of the Final Document of the Synod on Synodality titled “On the Boat Together” and Pope Francis’ address at St. Teresa's Cathedral of Juba Archdiocese on 5 February 2023, Archbishop Horgan also emphasized the need for a “renewal of relationships” and “a conversion of relationships”.

“We must never exercise our ministry by chasing after religious or social prestige, but rather by walking in the midst of and alongside our people, learning to listen and to dialogue, cooperating as ministers with one another and with the laity,” he said, quoting Pope Francis’ 5 February 2023 address at the Cathedral of Juba Archdiocese.

He highlighted listening, dialoguing, and cooperating as important virtues “at this moment in time, in both church and society.”

“When we think of how the Bishop relates to his Priests and to his Religious in his Diocese, is accompaniment the first word that it brings to mind?” the Apostolic Nuncio posed, and continued, “The Pope is not suggesting that the Bishop ceases to be the Bishop, but he is asking that the Bishop exercises his office with this attitude always to the fore.”

According to Archbishop Horgan, “The bishop must do all he can to accompany his Priests and Seminarians, which necessitates listening to them and being available within the limits of the possible to hear their concerns, even if with the help of an Episcopal Vicar for Clergy. Priests must not feel abandoned or neglected by their bishop.”

Earlier, at the beginning of his November 15 address, Archbishop Horgan had assured SSS-CBC members of Pope Francis’ prayers, “great concern and closeness”.

“In fact, frequently during his audiences over the past few months, he (Pope Francis) has asked Christians to pray for Sudan. As recently as last Sunday (November 10), following the Angelus Prayer, he repeated this plea. I am sure that many are responding to the Pope's plea,” the representative of the Holy Father in South Sudan said.

He assured the Catholic Bishops of Sudan and South Sudan of his own spiritual solidarity, saying, “The Nunciature in Juba prays for you and follows with great concern the developments in your local churches and in the country.”

“Since my arrival in Juba, I have been struck by how the bishops have welcomed the decision of the Holy Father to appoint a resident Nuncio. I am personally very grateful for the many expressions of welcome and support I have received from the local church, beginning with the lively and colorful reception at Juba Airport,” the Vatican diplomat said, recalling the events of August 28.

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Meanwhile, in his speech at the beginning of the SSS-CBC Plenary Assembly, the President of the Conference that brings together Catholic Bishops in Sudan and South Sudan recognized Sudan’s challenging pastoral situation amid violent conflicts since April 2023.

“We thank the Lord for having brought our brothers from the North,” Stephen Ameyu Martin Cardinal Mulla said, referring to the Local Ordinary of Khartoum Catholic Archdiocese, Archbishop Michael Didi and his Auxiliary, Bishop Daniel Kur Adwok, and Bishop Yunan Tombe Trille of the Catholic Diocese of El Obeid.

Cardinal Ameyu added, “We thank the Lord for His protection for these three servants of His who live and move in the midst of war and bombs, but they take care of their own sheep in spite all this.”

He described the presence of Catholic Bishops among the people of God in the two neighbouring countries as “always a beacon of hope.”

“The effort made by each Bishop and Priest in your respective Dioceses or institutions are deeply appreciated. Your unwavering service, especially in the face of war and challenges, reflects the profound love of Christ for His people,” the Cardinal told SSS-CBC members on November 15, the first of their five-day Plenary Assembly.

“As we come together in this conference, may the bonds of communion among us strengthen our collective mission,” said the South Sudanese Cardinal created alongside two other Africans during the 30 September 2023 Consistory in Rome.

He added, “Let us work for the dignity of the persons we serve. Let us pray always for that commitment that the Lord continues to give us. May this conference be a fruitful time for reflection, collaboration, and to renew the zeal of the work ahead.”