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Yambio (Agenzia Fides) – "For more than five years, you have lived under the heavy burden of violence, displacement, destroyed institutions, and profound trauma. And yet, you have not lost your humanity. I have been deeply moved by your love, your generosity, and your joy even in the midst of pain. Your resilience has left me speechless. There is an inner spiritual strength within you, silent, profound, and given by God, that has sustained. Protect it. Nurture it. Let it now become the foundation of peace. Do not waste it. Peace will not grow through guilt or revenge. It will grow through a new language, forgiveness, patience, love, unity, reconciliation, and healing." This is the message that Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of Tombura-Yambio addressed to the faithful and authorities on the occasion of the recent inauguration of a new Pastoral Center for the Western Deanery of the diocese. "It marks a significant milestone in strengthening pastoral services within the deanery," the prelate emphasized, who also invited Church leaders and faithful to work together for the continued growth and mission of the Church.
"We departed from Yambio, where the central administration of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio is located, and traveled west to the Western Deanery of Our Lady Queen of South Sudan in Tombura, passing through the Vicariate of Ezo. After almost ten days of intense pastoral commitment, prayer, meetings, sacrifice, and grace, we returned to Yambio following the same route," Bishop Hiiboro recounted. “It wasn’t simply a long journey, but a pilgrimage of the heart, through the wounds, faith, perseverance, and hope of God’s people. Along every path, in every parish and in every community, the Lord revealed himself through resilient faith and a silent cry for peace. These were moments that reaffirmed the Church's mission: to be present, especially where suffering is greatest. The roads told their painful story. We faced great difficulties, and yet none of this discouraged us; on the contrary, it strengthened our conviction that pastoral love must persevere beyond obstacles and hardships.”
Among those attending the inauguration were priests, men and women religious, catechists, and members of the Christian community, who expressed joy and gratitude for the establishment of the Center, describing it as a blessing for the Western Deanery.
The Center's objective is expected to enhance pastoral administration, strengthen evangelization efforts, and support service delivery to the faithful in Tombura and surrounding parishes. Bishop Hiiboro encouraged priests, catechists, and lay leaders to make effective use of the Pastoral Centre in serving the people of God. He noted that the Centre will play a key role in improving coordination of church activities, pastoral planning, and formation programs across the deanery. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 26/1/2026)
