SOUTH SUDAN: At the Blessing of Ground to Erect Papal Dias, Bishop Entrusts South Sudan to God’s Divine Protection

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA and Ginaba Lino

In preparation for the Pope’s upcoming visit to South Sudan in the month of July, the leadership of the Catholic Church on Monday, April 4, gathered for blessing of the ground where the Papal Dias is to be erected and the presiding Bishop entrusted the entire country into God’s divine protection.

Speaking at John Garang Mausoleum in South Sudan’s capital, Juba where the three-day visit is expected to take place from 5-7 July, Bishop Stephen Nyodho Ador Majwok during the blessing ceremony said: “We entrust everybody who is going to be involved in this work to God. We place our country in his divine protection and we trust our president and the government who are helping us to achieve this project in the hands of God.”

Bishop Nyodho, the head of the committee of the Papal visit told congregants that their intent for the blessing of the ground where Pope Francis will celebrate the Holy Eucharist is to “ask for God’s protection that the work and the place will be a point of sanctification and holiness for the people of God when the Holy Father visits the country.”

The Bishop of Malakal Diocese highlighted that Pope Francis’ pastoral visit should be a time to strengthen the faith of the people of South Sudan and to promote unity in the country.

“We have been waiting for the coming of the Holy Father and God said it is time,” the Prelate of Malakal Diocese since 2019 said and continued, “We pray that this moment will be for change for all of us in South Sudan, that it will be the time to strengthen our faith and to work together.”

He added: “Let us all realize that we are children and sons of God so we may work hand in hand and praise God and serve him with all commitment, dedication and loyalty to this beloved country.”

On his part, the Mayor of Juba City, Michael Lado Allah-Jabu who was present during the Monday event, noted that South Sudan is privileged to be visited by the Holy leaders of the Church, an act which is historic in the world.

“I think this visit is going to be the first in the history of the world that Holy leaders are able to visit South Sudan and especially the city of Juba,” the Mayor said referring to Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and the Moderator of Scotland Presbyterian Church.

He promised that as Government, they will fully support for the realization of success towards the Pope’s July visit and see into the improvement of infrustacture in Juba.

“We have to do something good for the Holy Father when he comes to South Sudan,” the Mayor said and proposed that if all goes well a road could be named after Pope Francis.

He called upon all Churches irrespective of denomination to prepare for the historic visit.