SOUTH SUDAN: New Catholic Bishop of Yei Diocese Asks Security Organs to Allow Him Visits in the Bush
Bishop Alex Lodiong Sakor the Bishop Yei Catholic Diocese
Ginaba Lino
The new consecrated Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Yei on May 15, 2022 is appealing to the security organs in South Sudan to allow him visit the people in the bushes.
Bishop Alex Lodiong Sakor was appealing while addressing the congregation last Sunday, arguing that there are many Christians who want to fulfil the Christian sacraments.
“I would like to appeal to the security people here and those who might be listening to us over the radio: give me a window to travel and see our people who are in the bush. I need to visit them,” he stated adding, “There are so many of them, their children have grown, and they have not been taught Catechism, they are not baptized, they are not confirmed and they want Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. Give me the chance to go and see them. I go there for faith, not anything.”
Meanwhile, the Bishop Emeritus Rt. Rev. Erkolano Lado Tombe said the people should take courage in faith despite the difficulties they are going through.
“I simply want to say: do not be afraid. God is with us. You can see the Cardinal and Nuncio are here with us, the government is here with us and you can see the solidarity of so many people standing with us. They understand our sufferings of all these years and so do not be afraid,” Tombe narrates.
Erkolano stressed that despite the loss of the religious leaders like Sister Veronica and all the parishes that have been destroyed, they stand with faith and that cannot stop them from working with the new Bishop for more than 20 years.”
On the other hand, the Archbishop of Khartoum Michael Didi, encouraged the believers to support the new bishop and work with him together for the benefit of the Diocese.
“You have to help him so that he serves you. If you want good work, you do well yourselves. I hope I will come to Yei again because it is my first time here.” Didi stated.
On his part, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan Archbishop Hubertus van Megan also encouraged the people of South Sudan and Yei in particular to embrace love, peace and commitment to take the country forward.
“We need to be people of love, we need to be people of commitment, we need to be people who put our shoulders on the country which is South Sudan, and move forward.”
The episcopal ordination was witnessed by over eight bishops including the principal consecrator His Eminence Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako and the Archbishop of Juba Archdiocese Stephen Ameyu Martin Mula.
Fr. Alex Lodiong Sakor was born on January 26th 1971 in Wudu and joined St. Mary minor seminary in Juba between 1989- 1993. He studied at St. Paul National Major seminary where he did Philosophy and Theology studies, obtaining a Diploma (1996) and a Baccalaureate (200) in Khartoum, Sudan. He holds a Licentiate in Biblical Theology from Urbaniana University, Rome.
He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Yei on 24 June 2001, after which he worked in several parishes before he went for a Diploma study program in Computer Science at the Catholic University of East Africa (2002-2003) and Financial Management and Administration at CORAT Africa, Nairobi, Kenya (2006-2007).
Other offices held include General Secretary, Diocesan General Treasurer, Coordinator of communication and of Education, Diocesan youth chaplain in 2008-2013, rector of the Saint Augustino Minor Seminary.
The Holy Father appointed Mons. Alex Lodiong Sakor Eyobo as Bishop of Yei on February 11, 2022, becoming the successor of Bishop Lodu Tombe.
