SOUTH SUDAN: Minor Seminary in South Sudan Reopens After Six Year Closure

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

Diocesan minor seminary in Tombura-Yambio Catholic Diocese in South Sudan has been reopened after six years of closure to give room for holistic formation of young people and nurturing of vocations.

In his message shared with AMECEA online, Friday May 13, the Local Ordinary of Tombura-Yambio Diocese, Bishop Eduardo Barani Hiiboro Kussala said that St. Joseph Minor Seminary was closed due to Security reasons and the school’s original location was not conducive for learning.

The seminary that was officially opened and blessed on Wednesday, May 11, the Prelate says, has now been relocated to a different place under Maingbangaru parish and will admit not only students intending to be future priests, but also “other ordinary students from the village where the seminary is located.”

According to Bishop Hiiboro, the seminary which has currently resumed with 92 learners, is also open for girls and students from other faiths.

Even though the operations in the seminary have commenced, the Bishop requests for support as the school is still in need of “Infrastructure such as classrooms, chapel, dinning, resource centers, staff residence, running water, washrooms and equipment,” among others to allow seminarians and the staff have a conducive learning environment.

He further asked for continued prayers for the seminarians in their journey of discernment to priesthood so they may realize their vocation.

“When young people drop off during the training in the Seminary, they are not condemned to hell but redirected into the ordinary setup where they become productive members of the society. So, the training of our seminarian belongs to all faithful of this diocese,” the Church leader noted in his Friday message adding that, “History teaches that, many of the young people who have left the Seminary have emerged as great leaders, so the training is holistic and collaborative!

He asked for collaboration from all stakeholders in the development of the seminarians saying: “The work of priestly formation is a comprehensive and continual effort on the part of the seminary community, including the Board of Trustees, friends of the seminarians and staff.”

As St. Joseph Minor Seminary reopens, the Local ordinary has offered scholarship to students from within the locality and highlighted that the formation for future priests “will continue to carefully adhere to the universal and national norms articulated by the Church for the formation of candidates for the priesthood.”

“The seminary does not tolerate immoral behaviour or abuse of any kind within its own programs, and further, the candidates who are admitted, all of whom are evaluated throughout their studies,” the Bishop narrated and asked for prayers for all priests, that God may strengthen and protect them in ministry as they serve God’s people.