Pope Francis appoints Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Bernardino Lowi Napeta Bishop of Torit Diocese

 Pope Francis appoints Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Bernardino Lowi Napeta Bishop of Torit Diocese

By Sr. Henriette Anne (FSSA)

The Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Rev Fr. Emmanuel Bernardino Lowi Napeta as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Torit, South Sudan. The news of Fr. Emmanuel’s appointment was officially published in Rome on Tuesday, November 8.

In an official communication to members of Sudan and South Sudan Bishops Conference (SSBC), the Chargé d'affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in South Sudan Monsignor Ionut Paul Strejac, has asked prelates to accompany the Bishop-elect with prayers. 

In a separate statement addressed to the Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla of Juba Archdiocese and who doubles as the Apostolic Administrator of Torit, Msgr. Strejac has noted that the Archbishop will continue serving the Torit Diocese until the installation of the new Bishop.

“I also would like to point out that following Canon Law, you will remain the Apostolic Administrator until the Bishop-elect will take possession of the Episcopal See of that Diocese,” Msgr. Strejac’s letter reads in part and continues, “Your name will continue to be mentioned in the Eucharistic prayer until that very date.”

He sends his blessings as the preparations for the consecration begins saying, “In these “coming weeks, of preparation for the episcopal consecration of the Bishop-elect Emmanuel Bernardino Lowi Napeta, I wish you God’s abundant graces and blessings.”

The Catholic Diocese of Torit that was erected in 1983, has been vacant since 2019 when Archbishop Ameyu who was then the Local Ordinary was Appointed the Archbishop for juba Archdiocese.

Until his appointment, Bishop-elect who was born in 1973 to Mr. Bernardino Lowi Napeto and Mrs. Anisia Moigo Simon has been the parish priest of St. Mathew’s cathedral parish of Khartoum Archdiocese in Sudan.

He joined St. Augustine Minor Seminary Khartoum North in 1966 – 1997. From 1997 – 1999 Msgr. Napeta was at St. Paul’s Major Seminary for his philosophical studies and later went to St. Paul’s Major Seminary for Theological studies at Theology section, Khartoum from 1999 – 2003 after which from 2003 – 2004, Bishop-elect did his pastoral experience at Uganda Martyrs Parish, Khartoum.

The alumnus of Salesian Pontifical University in Rome holds bachelor’s Degree in Religious Education and Master’s Degree in Youth Ministry and Catechetic.  He was ordained Deacon on 20^th February 2004 and on 24^th October 2004 ordained priest of Khartoum.