Serving a people who are yet to know the meaning of development: A newly ordained priest shares his experience of being a two-month old parish priest serving two parishes in the remote part of South Sudan

It may sound quite unbelievable that in this era where modern technology has become commonplace to imagine that there are places where mobile telecommunication is still non-existence and people only rely on letters to communicate. In certain parts of South Sudan, this is a reality, even as the young nation recently celebrate 10 years of its existence, major developments are yet to take place.

Nagero County where the two parishes are situated is one such place where infrastructural development is yet to take place. Telephone communication is non-existence here and people can only rely on letters for any kind of formal communication. Besides, the road network system is also lacking, and as such, the priest can only use a motorbike when attending to his pastoral duties as well as any other errands such as visits to the diocesan curia.

Despite these challenges, Fr. Birundukua is happily residing among his parishioners as he finds joy among them and also in the unadulterated vast nature in the area.

“After many years without a priest Nagero, I feel blessed that my presence there is a great joy to the people. They have a servant who can administer all sacraments to them,” Fr. Birundukua expressed adding that his first assignment when he got there was to preach the good news of salvation to the people in a bid to reinforce and strengthen their faith in God.

He has had to make a program so that he can be able to celebrate Holy Mass in the two parishes every Sunday in order to meet the great need for the sacraments to the entire parishioners of the two parishes which are situated tens of miles apart.

“The vineyard is huge and laborers are few,” quoting the holy scripture, Fr. Birundukua said that from his residing and presiding over Eucharistic celebrations in the areas, he has come to realize that the pastoral and social needs of these people are so numerous. This he said compelled him to urgently visit his Bishop, Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, and the diocesan administration to seek support on behalf of these people from the far West of the Diocese.

“The two Parishes urgently need help in terms of liturgical material, pastoral care, and education. The two parishes don’t have parish church buildings as well as the priest’s residential houses. As such, Holy Masses are usually conducted under some semi-permanent shelters or under trees and when it rains, the situation becomes unbearable,” Fr. Birundukua explained adding that the church-run schools are also facing similar challenges as learning only take place under trees due to lack of structures.

This the priest said in an environment that is both unconducive for learners and teachers; the reason why he made a desperate appealed to the education secretariat at the diocesan curia to take note and organize some kind of support.

“The Education department of our Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio should find some immediate support for the vulnerable children who may miss their fundamental right to education due to the present conditions and circumstances they find themselves in Nagero County,” Fr. Birundukua added.

Fr. Birundukua believes that the vocation of priesthood is not for opportunities but rather a call to remain focus and to imitate Christ in one’s assignments according to their diocesan obligations. This, the clergyman said, is what binds all priests and Christians to serve God in others bearing in mind the suffering, challenges, and all forms of resistance they may face which Jesus Christ whom they represent, endured out of passion and love for humanity.

Fr. Birundukuo pointed out that the two indigenous communities of Azande and Balanda who live in Nagero County continued to coexist peacefully. He urged that since Nagero County borders Tombura County which is currently experiencing serious insecurity which can easily escalate, the authorities should apply all necessary abilities and measures to solve the problem amicably.

Fr. Hume George was the last resident priest appointed to St. Daniel Comboni Parish in Nagero County in 2014. He stayed on for two years and left in 2016, he was appointed to serve in a different capacity in the diocese. Since then, the two parishes have remained without a priest until Fr. Birundukuo was recently sent there.

Fr. Hume George former resident priest speaking about his experience in Nagero said that “The people there needed my presence at every moment, I was a priest a teacher in the school, a counselor and a judge in terms of deciding on tougher conflicts. Pastoral work in Nagero area is unique, one has to be part of the life there in order to serve well.”

By Elias Ginana Mangbondo