Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio Celebrates 6th Anniversary of Titarani Bishop Joseph Gasi Abangite
It was pomp and color on Sunday, 13th September in the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, Western Equatorial State-South Sudan during the celebration of the sixth anniversary of the Late Bishop Joseph Gasi Abangite, the first bishop of the diocese which also doubled up as the day the New Testament Pazande Bible was launched.
By Triza Wairegi, Anisa Radio
It was pomp and color on Sunday, 13th September in the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, Western Equatorial State-South Sudan during the celebration of the sixth anniversary of the Late Bishop Joseph Gasi Abangite, the first bishop of the diocese which also doubled up as the day the New Testament Pazande Bible was launched.
The festivity commenced with the celebration of mass presided over by Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro, the current bishop of Tombura-Yambio Diocese flanked by all the diocesan priests and attended by thousands of Christians. The jubilant Christians braved the heavy torrents of rain that could not deter them from turning up in their numbers for the annual celebration.
Celebrated under the theme unity in diversity, the 6th anniversary was one of its kind since it coincided with the Corona Pandemic period that has continued to wreak havoc in the world. In his opening remarks, Bishop Hiiboro called upon the Christians to continue praying over the pandemic and also keep the guidelines as outlined by the government health officials to curb the spread of the virus.
“This is a moment of grace, the day we celebrate the life of the late Bishop Gasi while keeping his memory alive by continuing with the spirit of unity in adversity that he advocated for,” Bishop Hiiboro pointed out in his homily.
He called upon the Christians to emulate the humility of the late Bishop pointing out that despite leading the diocese amidst many challenges brought about by war, he never gave up and continued to advocate for peace and unity in the Church.
“Bishop Gasi sought interventions even from neighboring countries like Kenya where he met the late President Moi to help in negotiating for peace and end the bloodshed. That symbolizes a shepherd who had his people at heart.”
Speaking at the celebrations, Rev. Fr Joseph Migindi who gave a short speech on behalf of the clergy said that the life of Bishop Gasi rhymes and resonates with the diocesan theme, “We Are One”. He indicated that the late bishop’s very life was a living example of unity and diversity.
The celebration was made more colorful by the launch of the first New Testament Pazande Bible, a great milestone for the diocese that has been in existence for over a hundred years.
With the theme of the launch being ‘your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path,’ it was a great achievement which was a culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, determination, and above all the love of the diocese.
The Bishop led the Christians in making a commitment before God to follow and keep the word adding that the word is the strength every Christian needs in his life.
“The late Bishop believed and put his faith in action. Let us practice faith and listen to the word of God. The fruits then will be visible as there will be no more war, no more fighting and no more corruption in our country,” the Bishop urged the jubilant congregants.
“Our late Bishop will live in our hearts. We can never forget him. Every time I visit the shrine, I feel his presence and it feels like he is alive and talking to me. We hope one day the church will consider canonizing him for us, said Mr. Raphael Waure, an elder who grew up and served the church in the days of Bishop Gasi.
In his pastoral letter titled, launching the first Catholic New Testament Holy Bible, Bishop Eduardo pointed out that the New Testament Holy Bible will be useful for over four million Azande speakers out there in South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central Africa Republic.
“My ultimate desire as Ordinary of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio is to venerate, celebrate, study, disseminate and live the word of God; so that it becomes the center of all aspects of life,” the Bishop wrote.
He called upon the clergy to celebrate and work as if they have been called and commissioned as ministers of the word afresh.
He concluded by saying that “It is our hope and prayer that the Bible will draw a positive response and impel the church in Tombura-Yambio to venerate, celebrate, read, pray, study and share the word of God.” This year of the Word of God will be officially closed at the national level on November 14, 2020.
The event was graced by the governor of Western Equatorial State, General Alfred Futuyo who called upon the citizens to embrace peace and unity and join hands towards the development of the Western Equatorial state and the country at large.
The annual anniversary of Titarani Bishop Gasi is celebrated every 14th September to mark the day he died. The late Bishop Gasi born 1st January 1929 was ordained a priest on 21st December 1957 and consecrated Bishop on 6th April 1975. He died on 13th September 2014 in Yambio hospital after a long illness. He served as a bishop for a remarkable 33 years.
His remains rest in the Shrine at St Mary Mother of God parish, Yambio. His spirit lives on.
