SOUTH SUDAN: Bishop Hiiboro Calls Priests to Courage and Holiness Amid South Sudan’s Suffering
Sr Henriette Anne, FSSA
Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of Catholic Diocese Tombura-Yambio (CDTY) in his letter to his priests on the day of Chrism Mass addressed the realities of wounds in South Sudan caused by violence, tribalism, and economic instability challenged his priests to be men of courage, wisdom, and above all, holiness.
“We serve a nation broken by violence, mistrust, tribal politics, displacement, and despair. Our people carry burdens too heavy to bear alone. They long for shepherds—priests who will walk with them, lift their dignity, and bring the balm of Christ’s love to wounded hearts. The Church needs holy priests—men who live the promises of their ordination with joy, simplicity, and total trust in God,” he wrote.
In his letter shared with AMECEA Online News Bishop Hiiboro called on his clergy to be bridges of healing and reconciliation in a society deeply divided, stressing that obedience, chastity, and self-offering remain foundational to priestly renewal.
“Let your obedience, chastity, and self-offering be seeds of renewal. A holy priest can lead multitudes to salvation. Let us together struggle, yes struggle, to enter through the narrow gate that leads to the joy and holiness of Christ.
He also reminded them that it is only through Jesus Christ that priests can remain faithful, “Without Him, we run dry. With Him, even deserts bloom,” he affirmed. He urged all priests to return daily to the source of their strength—Christ in prayer, Scripture, and the Eucharist.
He also encouraged his priests to be proactive in addressing the health and wellbeing of the communities.
“Be bold in preaching about the health challenges of our people. Do not remain silent. Speak of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, cancer, hypertension, insist with our people to eat well, the way our land is well arranged by the Creator with natural menus of varieties of good nutrients, diabetes—not with fear, but with faith”.
He further emphasized that the Gospel must touch every part of human life, body and soul and called for collaboration in building programs that promote hygiene, nutrition, physical exercise and public awareness.
“Collaborate with others. Build programs. Attention to mutual hygiene, physical exercises, Educate. Heal. The Gospel must touch both body and soul”.
The local ordinary of CDTY encouraged the priests to take up serious farming and agriculture, teach other people that faith and work walk hand in hand.
“I encourage all our priests: take up serious farming and agriculture. Let us become models of dignity through labour. Teach our people that faith and work walk hand in hand. Planting useful trees. The land is God’s blessing— let us cultivate it and share its fruits with wisdom and love. Please encourage our plant flowers around our homes and institutions, and building strong homesteads”.
He continued “Brothers, be close to our seminarians. Encourage and accompany them. Let your life and example draw new sons and daughters into God’s service. Jesus carefully chose His apostles—so must we. Be intentional. Follow the Church’s criteria. And raise up holy boys and girls for the Kingdom”.
Bishop Hiiboro urged the priests to take care of one another, speak well of each other, carry one another’s burdens, love and unity be the air they breathe.
