“Peace is what I leave you with” (John 14: 27)
“Peace is what I leave you with” (John 14: 27)
A large part of building peace and living in a world of peace comes from a state of empathy. As Mother Teresa said, 'if we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. “Peace is what I leave you with” (John 14: 27) is the theme of this year commemoration of Bishop Gasi day at the Catholic Diocese of Tombura- Yambio.
According to Fr. Domnic Sasa the priest in charge of our Lady of Fatima Parish Maridi, theme of this year celebration is in accordance with what the late Bishop Gasi did for us, “we continue to remember him because of the struggle of peace which he brought to South Sudan. Bishop Gasi worked hard for the implementation of peace agreement CPA in Naivasha, Kenya, he was the initiator of that peace that enabled us to get a comprehensive peace agreement signed in 2005 between the government of South Sudan and North Sudan. That’s the great contribution that he did for us and that’s why we have to come up with same theme since we attained our peace and freedom, he is no longer with us physically in our midst but we can say he has left us only peace”, Fr. Sasa explained.
He also added that it is important to celebrate the life of the late Bishop since he was gift to the Catholic Diocese Tombura-Yambio from God. “We have to celebrate the life of Bishop Gasi, because he was a gift from God, he was gift for us the Christians of the CDTY , he continued, we are looking at him, as he was the 1st wise man to lead our church, he was full of wisdom, he guided us very well in the way of peace, he preached the Gospel, the good news all over South Sudan, his life touched most of the Christian communities”
In preparation of this year commemoration, Corpus Christi Eastern Deanery is taking the lead in organizing the events of this day. Fr. Sasa noted that the preparation for the great day is under way.
“the preparation has been going on in terms of liturgical songs, contribution from Christian communities, preparing cultural dance to celebrate the life of Bishop Gasi who struggled to bring for them peace and freedom as sons and daughters of South Sudan”.
The servant of God said that they cannot avoid remembering the late Bishop Gasi every year to pray through his intercession so that God can continue strengthening their faith as Christians of CDTY.
The annual commemoration of Titarani Bishop Gasi is celebrated every 14th September to mark the day he died. The late Bishop Gasi born 1st January 1929 was ordained a priest on 21st December 1957 and consecrated Bishop on 6th April 1975. He died on 13th September 2014 in Yambio hospital after a long illness. He served as a bishop for a remarkable 33 years.
His remains rest in the Shrine at St Mary Mother of God parish, Yambio. His spirit lives on.
