Apostolic Nuncio in South Sudan Relays Pope Francis' Closeness with the Church Experiencing “difficulties”

“The Pope prays with you and for you in these days and stands in solidarity as he knows the difficulties through which you are living,” the Nuncio said, calling on the faithful to pray for peace in Sudan.

Credit: Ginaba Lino Michael/South Sudan/Juba

Archbishop Horgan termed the Sunday events as a moment to refocus on the “central mystery of the Christian faith” in the Eucharist.

The Archbishop reflected on the significance of the Eucharist in the life of the Church in Sudan and South Sudan in the 50 years of faith in both countries.

Credit: Ginaba Lino Michael/South Sudan/Juba

“This jubilee has focused our attention back on the central mystery of our faith, which is the Eucharist,” Archbishop Horgan said, explaining that the Bishops in the two countries had dedicated the jubilee year to the Eucharist.

“Christ is a King who reigns from the cross,” he said, adding “He reigns from the cross, and that cross becomes present on the altar each time we celebrate the Mass. We gather around that cross, bring to it all our crosses, and offer them to God the Father.”

Credit: Ginaba Lino Michael/South Sudan/Juba

Reflecting on the journey of the Church in Sudan and South Sudan, the Nuncio said, “Throughout these 50 years, as we have offered Mass on altars around this country, we have gathered together with the Lord, and he has come into our midst. He has walked with us in our difficulties and trials, been our consolation in joy, and our strength in sorrow.”

The Nuncio acknowledged with appreciation Sudan’s Gabriel Cardinal Zubeir Wako, who will mark 50 years since his episcopal appointment on December 12, describing him as “our living link to that year of 1974 and the establishment of the local hierarchy.”

Gabriel Cardinal Zubeir Wako. Credit: Ginaba Lino Michael/South Sudan/Juba

In his address at the same event, the Chairman of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), Bishop Charles Joseph Sampa Kasonde acknowledged the presence of Cardinal Zubeir, who he said is a key figure in the history of the Church in Sudan and South Sudan.

“We are grateful to God that on its establishment we have the witness who was there at the beginning, His Eminence Cardinal Gabriel Warko Zubeir,” Bishop Kasonde said in his November 24 address.

Bishop Charles Joseph Sampa Kasonde. Credit: Ginaba Lino Michael/South Sudan/Juba

Representing AMECEA, Bishop Kasonde conveyed “good wishes and blessings in recognition of the golden jubilee that has brought us here together and the celebration of the Eucharist that makes us one as a universal Church.”

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Bishop Charles Joseph Sampa Kasonde. Credit: Ginaba Lino Michael/South Sudan/Juba

The Bishop of Zambia’s Catholic Diocese of Solwezi conveyed AMECEA’s prayers for peace in the region, saying, “The blessings and the wishes from AMECEA are that they may be peace in South Sudan, peace in Khartoum and Sudan.”

Bishop Kasonde highlighted the significance of the occasion, describing it as “a momentous occasion that the Church in Sudan and South Sudan celebrates its establishment as the Episcopal Conference.”

Bishop Charles Joseph Sampa Kasonde. Credit: Ginaba Lino Michael/South Sudan/Juba

He underscored the official recognition of the Catholic Church in the two nations by the Holy See, represented at the event by the Apostolic Nuncio.

On his part, Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, Archbishop of Addis Ababa Archdiocese in Ethiopia expressed solidarity with the people of Sudan and South Sudan. He extended greetings from Ethiopia and prayed for blessings upon the two nations.

Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, Archbishop of Addis Ababa Archdiocese in Ethiopia. Credit: Ginaba Lino Michael/South Sudan/Juba

Looking forward, Cardinal Souraphiel expressed hope for peace in Sudan and South Sudan, saying, “We hope one day, at least in the coming Jubilee year of 2025, will be able to gather to give thanks to God, to Christ the King in Khartoum so that they will have the peace which only our Lord Jesus Christ can give.”