Have a Blessed Independence day patriotic South Sudanese!
Bishop Eduardo wishes South Sudanese Happy Independence day and calling upon to help in shaping the nation and preserving its rights.
Bishop Orientation: Have a Blessed Independence day patriotic South Sudanese!
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God! (Mt5:9)!
The 9th of July for me has always been a joyful time for appreciation, planning, reflecting on good decisions, and gathering with family and friends as we thank God for the freedom and gift of our beloved nation.
This year's celebration has been very much spiritual, crowned by the special envoy of Pope Francis, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. He has been in our national capital Juba for good three days, praying, encouraging, and blessing us all as a nation!
As we celebrate the birth of our nation, it is certainly different as we continue to suffer from the effects of the pandemic, and various forms of violence which curtail our gatherings and celebrations in so many ways.
It is also different this year as we strive to more fully recognize in our nation that all people are created equal and are endowed by God with the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
We are called to help shape our nation to help it preserve these rights.
May we, as Catholics, pray and work for the promise of a nation of peace and justice for all, encountering each person with respect, remembering the inherent human dignity of every person, and protecting the lives and dignity of all created in the image and likeness of God.
As we celebrate the Ninth of July, we are grateful for all that we have been blessed with in our nation, but we also dare to ask for more, as we beg the Lord to help us to stand peacefully united, one nation, under God, and pursue liberty and justice for all.
Be assured of my prayers for you and your families as you celebrate today and I ask you to please keep me in your prayers too.
God bless Western Equatoria State, Republic of South Sudan and each of you with sustainable PEACE!
With renewed best wishes, I remain
Yours in Christ,
Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala
Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura - Yambio
