Bishop Eduardo Kussala Condoles with the Archdiocese of Juba for the Loss of Rev Fr. Ceasare Lukudu
Bishop Eduardo Kussala Condoles with the Archdiocese of Juba for the Loss of Rev Fr. Ceasare Lukudu
Following the death of Fr. Ceasare Lukudu on 3rd, September 2022 at St. Kezito Medical Center Juba, Bishop Eduardo the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura – Yambio has sent condolences to the prelate and all the Christians of the Archdiocese of Juba for the loss of Fr. Ceasare.
“It was sad to learn of the death of Rev Fr Ceasare Lukudu (a national priest from the archdiocese of Juba) I join you, Dear Brother, the Presbyter ate and the faithful of the Archdiocese of Juba in the prayer of thanksgiving for the life and the pastoral commitment of this most worthy Minister of the Gospel”.
In his message addressed to the Archbishop Stephene Ameyu, the Archbishop of Juba, he appreciated the work of the late Fr. Lukudu and expressed the sad loss experienced by the entire region.
“With trust in Divine Mercy he carried out this work as father to the priests and to the faithful entrusted to his care. He guided the Church in the Sudan and South Sudan through his formation work in the difficult period of political and social transformation, with wisdom, with a healthy detachment from reality, promoting respect for each person, for the good of the community of the Church, and above all keeping faith alive in the hearts of humankind”.
He continued reflecting on the quote that Fr. Lukudu loved, “Iesu, in te confido! — Jesus, I trust in you! He believed in this sentence and displayed everywhere including on his vehicle (Njjunu khata) — this motto guided his life and his ministry. Today, in the Synodal year, it has become an eloquent invocation which proclaims the fulfillment of the work that the Lord had already entrusted to him at Baptism, introducing him into the ranks of those sealed with His Redeeming Blood, and later together with the gift of priesthood, when He sent him forth with the task of sanctifying the People with the word and with the grace of the sacraments. He carried out this mission zealously as pastor, professor, rector (many times) of the date”.
The Local ordinary of the CDTY was also grateful for God’s providence that he was able to benefit from his ministry, “Rev Dr Lukudu, is a sincere formidable leader and right to say he has not died! Alone, Archbishop Didi of Khartoum, Bishop Trile of Elobeid, Bishop Stephen Nyodoth of Malakal, Archbishop Ameyu of Juba, Bishop Santo Pio Auxiliary of Juba, Bishop Alex Lodiongo of Yei and myself of Tombura-Yambio are all his students and hundreds of priests and religious plus a sea of professionals of all walks of life in South Sudan and East Africa! So Dr. Lukudu will live on”, he explained.
Bishop Kussala acknowledges that the late Fr. Lukudu was greatly tried by suffering but he accepted, “In the last phase of life he was greatly tried by suffering which he accepted with peace of mind. Even in this trial he remained a faithful witness to trust in the goodness and the mercy of God. He will thus remain in my memory and prayers. May the Lord welcome him into his glory”.
He concluded by blessing the entire region, “To you, Brother Bishops of Juba, to the Priests and Religious of Juba Archdiocese, to the relatives of the Deceased, and to all the faithful of Juba, I send my heartfelt blessing: in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”.
