“I’m in a Better Position to Participate Effectively in the Process of Positive Transformation in my Diocese and South Sudan at Large”, Says Fr. Diko

“I’m in a Better Position to Participate Effectively in the Process of Positive Transformation in my Diocese and South Sudan at Large”, Says Fr. Diko

By Sr. Henriette Anne FSSA

“Success is and will never be an activity”, Fr. Raphael Diko, who recently graduated with a Post Graduate Diploma in Education at Makerere University underscored that he is in a better position to participate effectively in the process of positive transformation in his Diocese and South Sudan at large.

“I felt by becoming an Educationist coupled with my being a priest, I can be in a better position to participate effectively in the process of positive transformation in my diocese and South Sudan at large”.

In an online interview with RURUGENE, Fr. Diko opined that he accepted to do education since “through education, a society or a nation can be able to orient its members or its citizens according to how it would like them to be. Through Education, a country can form its citizen according to what it desires them to be. In other words, education has a very powerful force for a positive transformation of a society or nation”.

Fr. Raphael Diko who has served the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio in different capacities including being the Diocesan Chancellor recalled what the Catholic Church said about education which made him work hard citing, “Among the various organs of education the school is of outstanding importance. In nurturing the intellectual faculties which is its special mission, it develops a capacity for sound judgment and introduces the students to the culture of discipline. Education fosters a sense of value and prepares the students for professional life marching with tradition and custom of the area and the international moral principle, all for the common good of the people of God.” (Vatican Council II, 646, No. 5).

He further explained that it was not easy for him to be in class again after eleven years, but the fact that he was the only priest in their class made him gather the courage to pursue his studies.

Fr. Diko added that “whenever we would be attending lectures, my mind kept recalling the situation back home, I mean in my diocese and my country. I realized the enormous work that our education sector has as a young nation. I became interested in learning more about our education system as well”.

During the interview Fr. Diko disclosed that his “career goal is to be a professional teacher” and he would love to participate in the education of children and young people so as to foster a positive transformation among South Sudanese.

“I will focus and participate in the education of the children and young people so as to foster a positive transformation of our society and South Sudan at large. I believe that we can orient the young generation to the desired end we need only through education in the context of the rapidly changing world and complexity of South Sudan”.

Addressing those who are still in school, Fr. Diko said, “you are very lucky to be at school now. Education nowadays is about competence, skills, and values. It is about critical thinking, innovativeness, and creativity. Go to school with the intention of answering a need of your community/country. Choose a course that can enable you to answer a particular need/problem of your community. This will make your education meaningful and relevant to your community/country. It will also encourage you to endure and dedicate yourself to your school till the end because you know how important that course/education is for your community/country”.

He also added, “the course of Education is much needed for us as a young nation. I, therefore, call upon my diocese to send more priests for this Education course in the various fields of Education. I also urge other students to go for Education courses so that we can be able to reshape the future of our nation. Education is one of the strategic courses for our young nation

The holder of a Post Graduate Diploma in Education thanked all those who supported him in his studies.

“I take this opportunity to sincerely thank my bishop, Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala for sending me back to school and for all the support I have always received from him. I thank also my brother’s priests, Religious Men and Women, relatives, friends, and all those who morally and financially supported me during my studies. Not forgetting my colleagues and all the instructors”.