SOUTH SUDAN: Sudan and South Sudan Bishops’ Conference Suspends Catholic Priest suspected of Bishop’s shooting
Photo taken during the Sudan and South Sudan Bishops' Conference in Wau last year
Ginaba Lino
Sudan and South Sudan Bishops’ Conference has on 16 April 2024, announced the suspension of a Catholic priest Father John Mathiang Machol who was the main suspect in the attempted murder of the then Bishop-elect of Rumbek Diocese three years ago.
The President of the Bishops’ conference His Eminence Stephen Ameyu Cardinal Mulla declared the suspension on Tuesday, April 16th following an emergency meeting of the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference that was held on April 5, 2024, in Juba.
The prelate said the Catholic Church condemned the act of violence against a shepherd of the Church, saying “attacks on religious leaders have no place in a just and peaceful society”.
“We condemn in the strongest terms this heinous act of violence against a shepherd of the Church. Attacks on religious leaders have no place in a just and peaceful society.”
According to the Cardinal, Father John Mathiang Machol is suspended under Canon 1370 article 2 of the Code of Canon Law.
The Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SSSCBC) stands in full solidarity with the formal declaration of the Dicastery for the Evangelization of Peoples given on May 9, 2023 (No. 1811/23) that was given on 9th April 2024 regarding the Latae sententiae interdict and suspension incurred by Father John Mathiang Machol under the same canon of the Code of Canon Law.
According to the Catholic Church Canon Law, “A person who does this against a bishop incurs a Latae Sententiae interdict and, if he is a cleric, also a Latae Sententiae suspension,” meaning that Fr. Machol, by his actions against a bishop, has automatically incurred an interdict and suspension from the exercise of his priestly ministry.
He shall not receive sacraments nor administer them until further notice, “said Cardinal Ameyu Martin while reading the statement.”
We went ahead to explain the meaning of interdict saying, it’s “a manifestation of sorrow and a kind of reparation for a grievous wrong done to a holy place or person” and that it is “not imposed ipos facto by the Law.
The President of Sudan and South Sudan Bishops’ Conference further said that the Church is calling upon the authorities to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We call upon the authorities to ensure a thorough investigation into this incident and to bring the perpetrators to justice,” he went ahead and said, “The Church in South Sudan will not be silenced or intimidated by such acts and will continue to be a prophetic voice for justice, reconciliation and the dignity of all people.”
“We, the South Sudan Catholic Bishops Secretariat, have gathered today in an emergency meeting to address two important matters: First and foremost, we express our deep solidarity with our brother, Bishop Christian Carlassare of Rumbek, following the recent release of Fr. John Matiang Machol, the main suspect in the attempted murder of the bishop three years ago,” reads part of the statement.
Cardinal Ameyu reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to the Gospel of peace and its mission to serve the people of South Sudan and continue to work tirelessly to foster dialogue, promote reconciliation, and build a society where all people can live in dignity and security
Father Mathiang was accused of masterminding the attempted murder of Rumbek
Diocese Bishop Christian Carlassare in 2021. He was prosecuted and sentenced to 14 years in prison. However, less than three years later in March 2024, he was released by Supreme Court in an appeal made by his defense lawyers.
