Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, Receives Covid-19 Vaccine, Encourages Faithful to Prayerfully Consider Being Vaccinated

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY), Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala on Tuesday, October 13 received the COVID-19 vaccine (PFIZER VACCINE). The Bishop and two priests from CDTY Rev. Fr. Ibiko Maurice and Rev. Fr. Natale Vairi Simangi received their first jab in Kampala Uganda. Barani Hiiboro has urged his faithful to prayerfully discern being vaccinated.

Many people still shy away from receiving the vaccine, however, the action of Barani Hiiboro’s to open up to the vaccination together with his two priests, is meant to encourage many people to embrace the vaccine without fear as it is morally permissible.

Bishop Hiiboro explained that because all adult persons are now legible and are encouraged to receive the vaccine, and also taking the chance of it being available in Uganda at the time he was there and with encouragement from his two priests Fr. Natale and Fr. Maurice, he was able to receive his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. 

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the employees of Health Institutions and all health care professionals for their work, caring for people during this pandemic, and now their efforts to facilitate the distribution of the vaccine, elsewhere in the world, here in Uganda and above all in my country the Republic of South Sudan,” Bishop Hiiboro expressed.

Last September, during their South Sudan Regional Secretariat, the Bishops of South Sudan affirmed in their Pastoral Statement that receiving certain COVID-19 vaccines is morally acceptable. To affirm the statement, Bishop Hiiboro said he was sharing photos of his recent vaccination in hopes of encouraging Catholics and all eligible people in South Sudan to prayerfully consider receiving the vaccine whenever they are available.

Bishop Hiiboro said he was happy to quote the Holy Father Pope Francis who has openly supported and encouraged vaccination throughout the world. Pope had this to say, “Thanks to God’s grace and to the work of many, we now have vaccines to protect us from Covid-19. The vaccine brings hope to ending the pandemic, but only if they are available to all and if we collaborate with one another.”

Pope Francis went on to say that getting a Covid jab that is “authorized by the respective authorities” is an “act of love.” Helping others do the same, the Pope said is also an act of love. “Love for oneself, love for our families and friends, and love for all peoples. Love is also social and political.”

The Pope noted that social and political love is built up through “small, individual gestures capable of transforming and improving societies.”

“Today, I also want to once again strongly urge all scientists, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies to only use ethical means in the development, research, design, and testing of vaccines, to avoid such world phenomenal catastrophes, of which we now suffer a lot,” Bishop Hiiboro expressed adding that “May we continue to rely on Christ for strength and ask him to guide our doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals during this pandemic.”

Barani Hiiboro also encouraged the government of South Sudan and all the partners to make sure that these essential immunization goes far off into the villages to reach the most vulnerable.

“God bless you all and let us remain committed in prayers for Healing and Peace in our nation!” the Bishop expressed.