Pope Francis Accepts Retirement of Bishop of Yei Diocese, South Sudan, Appoints Successor

A native of the same Episcopal See he is expected to oversee, the Bishop-elect who turned 51 last month was ordained a Priest in June 2001 after completing his Philosophy and Theology studies at St. Paul National Major Seminary.

The alumnus of the Rome-based Pontifical Urbaniana University where he obtained his Licentiate in Biblical Theology has, since his Priestly ordination, served in various positions, including Parish Vicar of Sacred Heart, Lomin, Kajo Keji (2001-2002) and Secretary General of Yei Diocese (2002-2006).

Mons. Lodiong obtained a Diploma in Computer Science at the Kenya-based Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) in 2003). He also pursued studies in Financial Management and Administration at the Nairobi-based Christian Organization Research and Advisory Trust of Africa (CORAT Africa) from 2006-2007.

In his native Diocese of Yei, he has previously served as General Secretary, Diocesan Bursar, Coordinator of Communication and Education, Diocesan Youth Chaplain, and Rector of St Augustine's Diocesan Minor Seminary.

Once ordained a Bishop, Mons. Lodiong is expected to oversee Yei Diocese, which measures 46,000 km² with an estimated population of 231,950 Catholics, representing 49.1 percent of the population, according to 2020 statistics.

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The South Sudanese Diocese that is in the Ecclesiastical Province of Juba was established on 21 March 1986.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.