Juba (Agenzia Fides) - "We have agreed to celebrate the Eucharistic Congress at the same time as the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the local Church in Sudan and of the Hierarchy of Southern Sudan", announced Bishop Stephen Nyodho Ador Majwok, Bishop of Malakal and President of the Eucharistic Congress in Sudan and South Sudan. Bishop Nyodho added that the two celebrations will take place over a year around the theme “One Body and One Spirit in Christ”. The opening of the Eucharistic Congress and the Golden Jubilee of the Hierarchy will take place in the Diocese of Wau on November 26, 2023 and the closing of the Eucharistic Congress will be celebrated in the Archdiocese of Juba on November 24, 2024. Bishop Nyodho called on Catholic priests, men and women religious, the government and all Christian communities to consecrate themselves to Christ for both countries: "I would like to appeal to all our priests, men and women religious, to our young people, to all Christian communities, to our brothers and sisters in government to join us in this historic event, we want to consecrate ourselves and our country, South Sudan, to Christ the King".
According to the Bishop of Malakal, this opportunity should be taken for the Church and the people of Sudan and South Sudan to come together as one family to pray for their problems and for the country. Local bishops will organize special celebrations during the year to prepare the faithful for the closing of the Eucharistic Congress. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 6/9/2023)