SOUTH SUDAN: Bishop Emmanuel Bernadino Lowe of Torit Diocese Condemns Armed Attack on Loa Parish
Bishop Emmanuel Bernadino Lowe of Torit Diocese in South Sudan
By Sr. Henriette Anne, FSSA
Bishop Emmanuel Bernadino Lowe of Torit Diocese in South Sudan, has strongly condemned the violent attack on Our Lady of Assumption Parish, Loa in Magwi County by members of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) on 26th March 2025, which resulted to killing of one person and injuring another.
Bishop Bernadino in his letter expressed deep concern over the threats and disrespect directed at Church personnel and the local community.
“The Catholic Diocese of Torit with deep concern, protests and condemns the threats and disrespect committed against our Church personnel, sacred pre community of Our Lady of Assumption Parish Loa, Magwi County. Violence was committed by members of the South Sudan Peoples’ Defense stationed at the junction of Loa Parish also called Okodu Maria. SSPDF personnel storm Lady of Assumption’ Parish, without prior notice and they opened fire killing on another one. In the process the soldiers also shot and hit the window and the wall of the priest’s house”, parts of the letter read.
The local ordinary of Torit Diocese said that the action instilled fear among the population in Loa and it’s a violation of the right of the villagers to live peacefully in their localities.
The prelate reassured the Diocese’s unwavering commitment to justice, peace, and the protection of religious freedoms, and cautioned that such actions threaten the dignity and security of the people of Loa Parish and beyond.
“As a Church committed to peace, justice, and service to humanity, we condemn possible the killing that took place in the Church premises and the denial of decent burial for the dead. The commitment of the Catholic Diocese of Torit to promote justice and peace established and known by the entire leadership of the government of South Sudan”.
In his letter dated 3rd April 2025, bishop Bernadino disagreed with the orders of the soldiers that” no priests or pastoral agents should stay in Loa, stressing that the incident is not only an insult on the physical space of the Church but also an affront to the fundamental rights to religious freedom, dignity, and security of the people of the Catholic Diocese of Torit”.
He further demanded the “release of the body to the relatives for mourning and decent burial, a public apology to the Catholic Diocese of Torit for the attack that occurred, identification and accountability of the military personnel involved, concrete assurances and clear protocols from SSPDF to prevent similar incidents from happening in future, an immediate and impartial investigation into the incident, and the State Government of Eastern Equatoria State to deploy security personnel to protect the property of Loa Parish”.
He added that the Diocese of Torit expects the South Sudanese armed forces who are mandated to protect civilians and their properties to uphold professionalism, justice, human rights, and respect for religious institutions, and called upon the government to act swiftly in addressing the matter to ensure justice and prevent further violations.
