Baptism of 74 children; A sign of Growth in the Church amid Difficult Situations in Western Equatoria
Despite the conflicts that continue to ravage the greater Tombura County in Western Equatoria State, the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio continue to flourish in terms of sacraments.
This was evident on the 29th Sunday in ordinary Time, when 74 children from the three internally displaced camps in Yambio, namely St. Mary Catholic Parish, ministerial complex, and the UNMISS camp center were baptized.
The baptism of the infants adds to the number of believers. Despite the insecurity in the area, people still have faith and pray regularly.
“I always say Mass in the UNMISS Camp and people come from the three camps to Pray. Continue to pray for us in Tambura for peace, unity, forgiveness, and reconciliation among the aggrieved parties,” said Rev. Fr. Bie Emmanuel Gbafu who administered the sacrament.
He further expressed that the situation is dire as people continue to suffer due to a lack of food, shelter, medicine, and many other non-food items.
“Many people are facing the tough weather conditions which includes being rained on because they do not have shelter, or tents to sleep under and there is nothing they can do about it,” Fr. Emmanuel who is the Episcopal Vicar of Western Deanery of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio expressed.
While this is happening, parishes have also not been spared by the bandits as St. John Mabaiku, St. Francis Gamunakpe Parishes have suffered vandalism when goons broke in and stole all valuable items they could lay their hands on.
“At St John Mabaiku, the thieves stole 22 bags of cement I bought for the work there, 15 pieces of iron
sheet, iron bars, and many things which belonged to the Parish,” Fr. Emmanuel explained as he appealed to both state and national government to heed the cries of Tombura residents and provide the much needed adequate security, humanitarian assistance, medicine and to work towards bringing peace, unity, and reconciliation among the residents.
“Pray for us here in Tambura, Mupoi, Source Yubu, Ezo, Wau, and Yambio where IDPs are living,” Fr. Emmanuel who is the parish priest of St John Mabaiku and Curate St Mary Catholic Parish Tambura implored.
