SOUTH SUDAN: Catholic Churches of South Sudan Prepare to Welcome Cardinal Ameyu in Juba
Ginaba Lino
Catholic Churches in South Sudan are in preparation to welcome the new Cardinal Stephen Ameyu, set to arrive in the Capital Juba on Tuesday, October, 30.
The auxiliary bishop of Archdioceses of Juba said efforts are underway to welcome South Sudan’s first cardinal on the 30th of October.
Speaking during a press conference in Juba on Thursday, October 19, Bishop Santo Loku Pio who doubles as the chairperson of the central committee for the reception program stated that, Cardinal will arrive at 10 am at Juba International Airport.
He said that preparation on the ground is set at a typical level to comfy the arrival of Cardinal Stephen Ameyu
Bishop Santo added that the committee has designated categories that will be grounded at the airport, due to high statistic of people who desire to attend the program on that day.
The Churches that are preparing to receive the new Cardinal include St. Joseph parish, Catholic University, St Mary College, St. Kizito Parish Holy Rosary, holy cross, Terekeka pastoral region, St. Charles Lwanga Lokiliri, church personnel, cultural groups, government officials, and protocols.
The Chairperson of the central committee reiterated that after the welcoming ceremony at the airport, the Cardinal together with the faithful will proceed to the Cathedral to greet and bless the congregation.
There will be no ceremony apart from welcoming reception and after he will proceed to the Cathedral for blessings by the Cardinal, “Auxiliary bishop explained.”
He disclosed that the official thanksgiving mass will be officiated on the 4th of November at St. Theresa Cathedral where different dignitaries will present speeches and presentation of gifts.
“The thanks giving mass will be on the 4th of November at 10:00 AM in the morning at Saint Theresa’s Cathedral, and then there will be also speeches from different dignitaries, and then there will be the presentation of gifts: individual gifts, community gifts, Institutional gift, Parishes will come with their gifts to the Cardinal as a sign of our joy.”
The chairperson of the central committee revealed that the Cardinal would resume his normal duty by the ordination of four men to the level of deacons.
“After the 4th, we will also have another occasion on the 11th of November which will be the first ordination, the Cardinal will ordain 4 young men, 2 are from the Franciscan missionaries and 2 are from the Archdiocese of Juba to the order of Deacons.”
Bishop Santo urged all the Faithful including non-believers to throng along the street to welcome his eminence Cardinal Ameyu.
On the 30th of September, His Holiness Pope Francis confirmed the elevation of 21 bishops including his grace Stephen Ameyu to the rank of Cardinal during a consistory held in Vatican.
