SOUTH SUDAN: Catholics Jubilate Appointment of First Cardinal in South Sudan
Archbishop of Juba Stephen Ameyu Martin
Ginaba Lino
Christians in South Sudan are in a joyful moment appreciating His Holiness Pope Francis for the elevation of Archbishop of Juba Archdiocese as the first Cardinal in South Sudan.
The new cardinal is receiving Christians, daily, coming to congratulate him and praise God for the new task given by the Holy Father.
Some Christians have described the elevation as the next step for peace coming for the people of South Sudan.
A choir member at St. Charles Lwanga Chapel Cecilia Aya expresses her gratitude for the appointment of the Archbishop saying they are praying to God for him to become first Pope in Africa.
“We are very happy, we arrived at the Chapel since at 6:00 in the morning waiting for sunrise so that we can come and pay a visit to the new Cardinal. He is a cardinal now, but we are praying that one day he can become the first pope from Africa.”
Another choir member said, in history since South Sudan got its independent so many blessings have come to South Sudan including the coming of Pope Francis to the country, now followed by the appointment of the new cardinal.
On Monday the 10th of July 2023, the Apostolic Nuncio of Vatican Embassy in Juba declared his appointment as the new Cardinal and first from South Sudan after the Holy Father made the announcement on Sunday in Rome.
The Charge’ d’Affaires at Juba Vatican Embassy Msgr Grace Ionut Paul, says Pope Francis sends a gift of Cardinal to South Sudan during the Independence Day, describing it as blessings.
“As we were celebrating yesterday’s 12 years Independence, Pope Francis made us a gift, the gift of Cardinal for South Sudan. Actually, yesterday at Angelus prayer, he announced that the next 30 September, he will hold the consistory for the appointment for the new Cardinals.”
He said the 20 appointed Cardinals will gather in Rome ahead of the Synod on Synodality which is set to take place in October 2023.
The Charge’ d’Affaires congratulates the Archbishop of Juba Archdiocese of Juba for the new appointment of Cardinal.
The Cardinal elect says the elevation is not for the single person, but for the whole Church of Sudan and South Sudan. He states that being made the first Cardinal in South Sudan is because of the faith of people in South Sudan.
“Being a first cardinal is an appreciation from the Holy Father who came to South Sudan and saw the hope in your faces, and this is the result of that hope that he saw.”
The new Cardinal Stephen Ameyu calls on the people of South Sudan to continue praying for total peace in the Republic of South Sudan.
