SOUTH SUDAN: Pope Francis Appoints Bishop Remijio Apostolic Administrator of Rumbek Diocese
Bishop Matthew Remijio of Wau Catholic Diocese, South Sudan
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Following the recent attack of Bishop-elect for South Sudan’s Rumbek diocese Very Rev. Christian Carlassare which occurred midnight of Monday, April 26, Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Matthew Remijio Adam Gbitiku MCCJ the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese.
Meanwhile, the consecration of Very Rev. Carlassare has been postponed as he is still undergoing medical treatment in Nairobi, Kenya.
Bishop Remijio is Bishop of South Sudan’s Wau Diocese. According to a statement signed by the Vatican’s Charge d’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in South Sudan Monsignor Mark Kadima issued on Wednesday, May 5, Bishop Remijio will govern Rumbek Diocese “until Msgr. Carlassare is healed and ordained bishop.”
“Bishop Remijio will temporarily govern Rumbek Diocese until the Bishop-elect Very Rev. Christian Carlassare, is healed, ordained and takes over the governance of that Diocese, hopefully as soon as possible,” Msgr. Kadima made the announcement on behalf of South Sudan’s Apostolic Nuncio His Excellency Archbishop Bert van Megen.
In his message Msgr. Kadima noted that the appointment takes effect immediately.
The episcopal ordination of Msgr. Carlassare had been slated to take place on Pentecost Sunday, May 23rd.
Meanwhile, the archbishop of Juba Most Rev. Ameyu has encouraged the people of South Sudan to work for peace and reconciliation.
“Let us root ourselves in Christ, standing not just against fear and violence, but growing towards a renewed unity where we are one with Christ and with one another,” he said.
