SUDAN: Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako celebrates Golden Anniversary as A priest
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| His Eminence Gabriel Cardinal Zubeir Wako |
Some
4,000 people gathered at the compound of Khartoum’s Catholic Cathedral on
Sunday to celebrate Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako’s 50 years of priesthood. Assistant
Bishop Daniel Adwok of Khartoum told CRN that the celebration was wonderful.
4,000 people gathered at the compound of Khartoum’s Catholic Cathedral on
Sunday to celebrate Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako’s 50 years of priesthood. Assistant
Bishop Daniel Adwok of Khartoum told CRN that the celebration was wonderful.
Bishop
Adwok said Cardinal Zubeir reflected on 50 years of God’s work of compassion
and love through his ministry. He added that the Cardinal passed also a message
of joy. Bishop Adwok said the celebration was great and without incidents
adding that Vice-president of Sudan Osman Mohammed Taha attended a breakfast
reception on 18th July in honour of Cardinal Zubeir.
Adwok said Cardinal Zubeir reflected on 50 years of God’s work of compassion
and love through his ministry. He added that the Cardinal passed also a message
of joy. Bishop Adwok said the celebration was great and without incidents
adding that Vice-president of Sudan Osman Mohammed Taha attended a breakfast
reception on 18th July in honour of Cardinal Zubeir.
Gabriel
Zubeir Wako was born on 27th February 1941 in Mboro (Ngomini) to
catechist and teacher, Placido Wako and Felicita Juno. In 1946 having absorbed
a genuine and strong Christian faith within the family, he received the first
Holy Communion and conceived the idea of becoming a priest.
Zubeir Wako was born on 27th February 1941 in Mboro (Ngomini) to
catechist and teacher, Placido Wako and Felicita Juno. In 1946 having absorbed
a genuine and strong Christian faith within the family, he received the first
Holy Communion and conceived the idea of becoming a priest.
He attended a regular primary school
between 1947 and 1950 at Nyamlel b. He proceeded to Minor Seminary in 1951-1955
at Bussere (Wau). In 1956-63 he studied Philosophy and Theology at St.
Paul’sNational Major Seminary at Tore River (Yei), where he also learned
liturgy and music.
between 1947 and 1950 at Nyamlel b. He proceeded to Minor Seminary in 1951-1955
at Bussere (Wau). In 1956-63 he studied Philosophy and Theology at St.
Paul’sNational Major Seminary at Tore River (Yei), where he also learned
liturgy and music.
He was ordained a Priest on 21st
July 1963 at the age of 22 with special dispensation from Rome since the
minimum canonical age for ordination is 25.
July 1963 at the age of 22 with special dispensation from Rome since the
minimum canonical age for ordination is 25.
In
1964 the year after his priestly ordination, all missionaries were expelled
from Southern Sudan; leaving in Wau the young Fr. Gabriel and four other
Sudanese priests at the mercy of an intolerant government. He prevented the
Bishop from closing the minor seminary of Bussere by volunteering to be the
Rector. He persevered through hardships, with patience and courage.
1964 the year after his priestly ordination, all missionaries were expelled
from Southern Sudan; leaving in Wau the young Fr. Gabriel and four other
Sudanese priests at the mercy of an intolerant government. He prevented the
Bishop from closing the minor seminary of Bussere by volunteering to be the
Rector. He persevered through hardships, with patience and courage.
During
1968-71 he studied Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Urban University and the
Pontifical Lateran University in Rome where he graduated with Licentiate in
Sacred Theology with specialization in pastoral Theology.
1968-71 he studied Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Urban University and the
Pontifical Lateran University in Rome where he graduated with Licentiate in
Sacred Theology with specialization in pastoral Theology.
1972-75
Fr. Gabriel held the following offices simultaneously: Procurator for the
Vicariate of Wau, Vicar Legate, Provincial commissioner of the Boy Scouts and
Girl Guides, and Rector of St. Anthony’s Minor seminary.
Fr. Gabriel held the following offices simultaneously: Procurator for the
Vicariate of Wau, Vicar Legate, Provincial commissioner of the Boy Scouts and
Girl Guides, and Rector of St. Anthony’s Minor seminary.
In
1974 December 12th, he was appointed bishop of Wau at the age of 33 and was consecrated
a bishop of Wau in 1975 April 6th. Since he was only 34, he needed
yet another dispensation from Rome because the minimum canonical age for
episcopate is 35 years. 1979 November 11th, he was named Archbishop Coadjutor
of Khartoum. 1978-90 He served as member of the Pontifical Council for
inter-religious dialogue.
1974 December 12th, he was appointed bishop of Wau at the age of 33 and was consecrated
a bishop of Wau in 1975 April 6th. Since he was only 34, he needed
yet another dispensation from Rome because the minimum canonical age for
episcopate is 35 years. 1979 November 11th, he was named Archbishop Coadjutor
of Khartoum. 1978-90 He served as member of the Pontifical Council for
inter-religious dialogue.
In
1980 he moved to Khartoum and began the process of learning and inserting
himself to the pastoral life of the new diocese he has been called to serve. On
10th October 1981, at the centenary of St. Comboni’s death, he was
installed Archbishop of Khartoum.
1980 he moved to Khartoum and began the process of learning and inserting
himself to the pastoral life of the new diocese he has been called to serve. On
10th October 1981, at the centenary of St. Comboni’s death, he was
installed Archbishop of Khartoum.
On
28th September, 2003 Blessed Pope John Paul II of venerable memory,
solemnly named His Grace, Gabriel Zubeir Wako Cardinal, and gave him the red
hat on 21st October, making him the first ever Sudanese Cardinal.
28th September, 2003 Blessed Pope John Paul II of venerable memory,
solemnly named His Grace, Gabriel Zubeir Wako Cardinal, and gave him the red
hat on 21st October, making him the first ever Sudanese Cardinal.
The
Holy Father Pope Francis in his congratulatory message to Cardinal Wako said in
part, “During all these 50 years, in which the needs of your flock grew
continuously bigger, you worked with increasing zeal to consider and meet them.
Indeed, everything you have done and will do for the good of the Church in Wau
and in Khartoum will have our support and our praise.”
Holy Father Pope Francis in his congratulatory message to Cardinal Wako said in
part, “During all these 50 years, in which the needs of your flock grew
continuously bigger, you worked with increasing zeal to consider and meet them.
Indeed, everything you have done and will do for the good of the Church in Wau
and in Khartoum will have our support and our praise.”
AMECEA
Secretary General Fr. Ferdinand Lugonzo on behalf of AMECEA Chairman His Grace
Archbishop Tarcisius Ziyaye Congratulates Gabriel Cardinal Zubeir Wako on his
50th Anniversary of Priesthood and thanks him for his service not
only to the Church in Sudan but also to the entire AMECEA Region.
Secretary General Fr. Ferdinand Lugonzo on behalf of AMECEA Chairman His Grace
Archbishop Tarcisius Ziyaye Congratulates Gabriel Cardinal Zubeir Wako on his
50th Anniversary of Priesthood and thanks him for his service not
only to the Church in Sudan but also to the entire AMECEA Region.
Source: Sudan Catholic
Radio Network and AMECEA Social Communications
Radio Network and AMECEA Social Communications
