Let's “pray for this process”: Pioneer Bishop of South Sudan’s Newest Diocese on His Successor in Previous Diocese

He expressed the hope that the Episcopal appointment of his successor in Rumbek Diocese “would be done as soon as possible—when possible, of course—that we will not rush into it, but also that we do not delay too much.”

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Rumbek/Fr. Luka Dor

Even though the process of appointing a Bishop “is owned by the Holy Spirit” who cannot be commanded “where to go”, Bishop Carlassare said, “It will be also the Spirit helping those people that are in charge of all the process to bring it to a good completion.”

He told the people of God in Rumbek Diocese that the role of the Holy Spirit is not just to aid in the process of appointing a new Bishop but that He is also to enable them live “a diocesan experience” even as they await their substantive shepherd. 

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Rumbek/Fr. Luka Dor

The Catholic Church leader, who started his Priestly Ministry in South Sudan’s Catholic Diocese of Malakal following his ordination in September 2004 said that even in the absence of a Local Ordinary, it is the “responsibility of each Priest to live deeply his vocation and the call he has received.”

“A good Bishop will arrive when there are good Priests…that are able to see that the Lord is working and join their hands in the work of the Holy Spirit,” he said in his homily during the April 10 anticipated Chrism Mass.

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Rumbek/Fr. Luka Dor

He appealed for spiritual solidarity in his Episcopal Ministry in Bentiu Diocese, South Sudan’s newest Episcopal See that was curved out from Malakal Diocese.

“Continue to pray for me and the journey we are doing in Bentiu,” he appealed.

The Comboni Missionary Bishop went on to highlight the challenges in his Episcopal Ministry in one of the poorest contexts of the East-Central African nation.  

“There is nothing, no water, no electricity. We have three rooms, and we are in five,” Bishop Carlassare said, and added, “The water, we take from the swamp. There is much to do to find a good place where we can stay.”

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Rumbek/Fr. Luka Dor

Pope Francis appointed him Bishop for Rumbek Diocese in March 2021. His Episcopal Consecration that had been initially scheduled for Pentecost Sunday that year (23 May 2021) was postponed indefinitely after he was shot in both legs on 26 April 2021.

As Local Ordinary of Bentiu Diocese since his installation in ..., Bishop Carlassare oversees the Diocese that is started off with seven Parishes, seven Diocesan Priests, four Religious Priests, 10 Major Seminarians, and two Male religious institutes.

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