Catholics Finds Solace at Bishop Joseph Abangite Gasi Shrine Pandemic lockdown

With nowhere to turn to for spiritual nourishments as the government of South Sudan ordered for stringent precautionary measures to curb the possible spread of coronavirus; Christians in Yambio and other parts of South Sudan turned to the Shrine of Bishop Joseph Abangite Gasi Shrine for spiritual renewal, spiritual strength, and prayers for protection against COVID 19 pandemic.

 Bishop Gasi who is the first native Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, having been appoint on March 5^th, 1974, passed on 13^th September 2013 at the age of 94. During the first anniversary of his death, the current Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, His Lordship Barani Edwardo Hiiboro decreed that the resting place of the Late Bishop Gasi be a center of prayer for peace in South Sudan. As such, the 13^th September remains an annual day of prayer for peace and the renewal in the Catholic Diocese of Tombura Yambio. Major decisions by the Local Ordinary of the diocese are usually announced on this day and Christians from all over the diocese and beyond usually make an annual pilgrim to the shrine on this date and all year round.

 Bishop Gasi who is known for living an exemplary life of holiness is credited as one who initiated the peace process that gave birth to the Republic of South Sudan, Bishop Gasi is known to have visited the then President of Kenya Daniel Arap Moi in July 2001. During his appointment with President Moi which was held at Kenya’s State House at night, Bishop Gasi requested Moi as a good neighbor to help make peace in South Sudan. He told President Moi that “I know you Kenyans love wildlife, is it in your interest to have South Sudan become a wilderness by allowing South Sudanese to kill themselves!”

 President Moi who is said to have been moved by the Bishop’s remarks said that he was truly impressed

by his humility and love for his people and that he admired his zeal in working for peace despite his old age. President Moi, therefore, told Bishop Gasi that as the President of Kenya he will not see South Sudan destroy itself; he promised to work for true peace in South Sudan.

As a result of this humble gesture, the whole country of South Sudan sees Bishop Gasi as the mother and father of the peace that gave birth to the Republic of South Sudan.

 According to Rev. Fr. Luis Nvuekama Tomoata, the priest in charge of St. Mary Mother of God Catholic parish in Yambio, where Bishop Gasi’s Shrine is located, the shrine remained open throughout the pandemic and not a single day passed without people coming to pray. From far and wide, Christians have been coming to the shrine from as early as 3 am or 4 am to pray for God's mercy, grace, and forgiveness.

 The Shrine has become a center where prayer requests and individual intentions from Christians are brought. So far there are testimonies of realization of some of these prayer requests and intentions among Christians. Students from around Western Equatoria are also known to have been coming to the shrine to present their intentions before examinations for success.

 People with special needs such as couples praying for a child or other needs also come to the shrine to offer their prayer through Bishop Gasi to God for their needs.

 Despite the fact that there are no known plans to start his canonization process, the people of South Sudan and especially Western Equatoria see Bishop Gasi as their Saint and they usually refer to him as Chitarani, which means our Grandfather in Faith.

 “The shrine was always left open as we observed all the necessary measure to keep safe such as cleaning hands with water and soap as well as keeping social distance,” Fr. Luis said adding that despite the lockdown as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Christians have remained strong in faith. Priests on their part have been able to increase the number of Mass services for themselves from three to six services.

 As all people have been directed to keep social distancing, Christians from St. Mary Yambio Parish have continued to seek services from their priests especially when in need of sacraments such as the anointing of the sick. This is because many believe that the presence of priests offering prayers at people’s houses is very fundamental as priests manifest the presence of Jesus Christ during the pandemic period to those seeking his graces, said Fr. Luis.

 “When priests are called to anoint the sick and offer prayers they do it with passion as a sign of God’s love which demands sacrificing own life to make Christ Jesus available to those who desperately seek him during good and difficult moments.

 Fr. Luis revealed that the faith he has seen from Christians in his parish has greatly motivated him spiritually to move around on foot and on a bicycle to give Holy Communion to Christians at their home, a task that is not easy during this pandemic period.

 He is positive that after the pandemic, things will not be the same again as Christians have demonstrated high levels of growth in faith, goodness, and hygiene. This Fr. Luis said will contribute to the holistic development of the Christian communities at all levels.

By Elias Ginana Mangbondo