SOUTH SUDAN: “End of Sheep Suffering with no Shepherd,” Archbishop Ameyu at the appointment of New Bishop for Torit
Rev. Emmanuel Lowi, Bishop elect for Torit Catholic Diocese
Ginaba Lino
The metropolitan Archbishop of Juba Arch-diocese on November 10, 2022, has described the appointment of new Bishop to Torit Diocese as end sheep suffering with no shepherd’s direction.
In a phone call interview with Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin, he said after receiving the letter of appointment of the new Bishop, the Christians and whole community were over joy because they are going to have Bishop after long time.
“After the announcement of the new Bishop, the people, the faithful and the priests of the Catholic Diocese of Torit were overjoyed, they welcomed the news of a new Bishop-elect with a great jubilant voice.”
Archbishop Ameyu quoted the Holy farther Pope Francis, saying a Diocese without Bishop it is very bad scenario, citing that although he was in the Diocese as an apostolic administrator, he couldn’t by-locate himself because the Diocese is very huge and it needs the presence of Bishop at all-time.
“You know the Holy Father Pope Francis said the Diocese without a Bishop is very bad. I know even if I was still there an apostolic administrator, I could not by locate myself because Juba is a smaller Diocese even though it’s an Archdiocese. But Torit is enormously four times compared to Juba and the present of a bishop was important.”
He said with the present of the new Bishop in the Diocese, people expect more changes in terms of development, and services in Torit Diocese.
Ameyu stated that one of the major challenges in Torit is obtaining peace and reconciliation in the Diocese because it has been broken down by inter-communal conflict and the apostolic administrator couldn’t cover the reconciliation due to other assignments in Juba.
“One of the challenges that I had faced was a question of obtaining peace and reconciliation in the Diocese. As you remember the Diocese has been broken down by inter-communal conflict and I was not able to cover this reconciliation. But I tried my level best to reconcile people of God.”
The Archbishop expressed his gratitude on the appointment of new Bishop to Torit Diocese. Adding that he was very happy because someone is coming to help him from the heavy work that he had.
He urged the people of Torit Diocese to start preparing for the reception of Bishop elect and his installation as well.
On November 07, 2022, His Holiness Pope Francis announced the appointment of Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Bernardino Lowi Napeta has the new Bishop of Torit Diocese.
Fr. Emmanuel Bernardino Lowi Napeta is South Sudanese born on 19th December 1973 in Kapoeta (Eastern Equatoria State).
He was ordained as deacon on 20th February 2004 at Kosti Pastoral Region, and Priestly Ordination on 24th October 2004 in Khartoum, Sudan.
Fr. Emmanuel did his primary School level at Juba (Kator) and Liriya, 1979 -1985, Intermediate level in Kapoeta and Juba (Kator & Malakia), 1986-1989. His Secondary level in Juba (Rejaf) and Khartoum, 1991-1994.
The bishop elect started his minor Seminary at St. Augustine’s Minor Seminary, Khartoum, 1995-1996, and he did Spiritual Orientation Course at St. Paul’s Major Seminary, Khartoum North in 1996-1997.
In 1997-1999, he joined Philosophical Studies at St. Paul’s Major Seminary, Philosophy Section, Khartoum, and Theological Studies in the same seminary in 1999-2003.
He procured his Bachelor Degree in Education – “Religious education”, at Salesian Pontifical University, of Rome in 2012, and Master’s Degree: Education – “Youth Ministry and Catechetics”, in the same University in 2014.
After his ordination has priest, he served has assistant Parish Priest of Holy Spirit Parish, Omdurman in 2004 -2007.
He was also appointed has a director for the “Institute of the Catechists for the Third Millennium”, Khartoum North in 2008 – 2010.
In 1st August 2016 – 28 January 2017, his was assigned again has the Assistant Parish Priest of Sts. Peters and Paul’s Parish in Khartoum, Sudan.
In 2016 – 2019, Fr. Lowi also became one of the Lecturers at at Comboni College for Science and Technology, Department of Religious Education, Khartoum, and a lecturer at St. Paul’s Major Seminary, Spiritual Orientation Course, Khartoum North, 2018 – 2020.
Before his appointment has new Bishop of Torit Diocese, he has been serving a Parish Priest of St. Matthew’s Cathedral Parish, Khartoum since 29th January 2017 till now.
