300 Children Confirmed at St. Thomas Parish in Source Yubu amid Growing Tensions in Tombura County
300 Children Confirmed at St. Thomas Parish in Source Yubu amid Growing Tensions in Tombura County
By Baraka John
St. Thomas Parish in Source Yubu, Tombura County, witnessed the confirmation of 300 children as part of the ongoing centenary celebrations at Ave Maria Parish in Ngboko. The sacrament of confirmation was officiated by Bishop Edwardo Hiiboro Kussala of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura Yambio, alongside Auxiliary Bishop Mathias Konig of Paderborn, Germany.
In his homily he noted, "Love is generous, peace is generous because it’s the treasure God has given to us”.
His words reverberated deeply, especially as Tombura County continues to face increasing tensions due to the ongoing inter-communal conflict. Despite the violence and displacement that have plagued the region, the bishop urged the community to embrace the values of forgiveness and reconciliation. “Practice to forgive those who harmed you,” he added, urging the people of Tombura to seek peace amidst the chaos.
Tombura County, which has experienced intense violence since 2021, saw over 80,000 people displaced during the initial conflict. The situation appeared to stabilize following peace talks mediated by the South Sudan Council of Churches and the intervention of national security forces. However, recent reports indicate that the conflict has resurfaced, and more than 2,000 households have once again been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge in neighboring Ezo County.
He called on the people of Tombura to come together and rebuild their communities with compassion and understanding, emphasizing that the future of the county depends on the collective will to embrace peaceful coexistence.
