Rumbek, 05 July, 2022 / 1:28 pm (ACI Africa).
The visit of the Vatican Secretary of State to South Sudan on the day Pope Francis was previously scheduled to arrive in the East-Central African nation “doesn’t replace” the visit of the Holy Father to the country, a Catholic Bishop in the country has said.
On June 23, the Archbishop of Juba announced the arrival of Pietro Cardinal Parolin in South Sudan to celebrate Holy Mass and meet authorities in the country in a three-day visit from Tuesday, July 5, dates that coincide with the itinerary of the ecumenical visit that was postponed.
Speaking at Rumbek Airport July 2, Bishop Christian Carlassare described Cardinal Parolin’s trip as an effort by the Catholic Church to foster peace in South Sudan.
“The visit doesn’t replace the visit of Pope Francis as planned because the Holy Father is really determined to visit the people of South Sudan,” Bishop Carlassare told journalists before leaving for Juba to take part in the visit by the Vatican Secretary of State.
He added in reference to the visit, “This is an institutional visit to encounter the President and the Vice President and the institutions of South Sudan to ensure closeness of the Catholic Church to the peace process that is in progress for lasting peace in South Sudan.”