Bishop Caesar Mazzolari was presiding over the Chrism mass, where he blessed the oils used for Catechumens, the anointing of the Sick and the Chrism oil used in Baptism, Confirmation and Ordination.
Bishop Mazzolari said in his homily hat the Pope urged the Bishops of the Sudan and by extension the priests and all pastoral agents, to live their work by what he described as the Spirituality of Communion.
He added that this communion grows through the celebration of the Sacraments of the Church.
The bishop of Rumbek said that the Pope urged bishops and priests to live the spirituality of communion by a fidelity to the episcopal and priestly authority, explaining that such authority is lived in being close to the faithful as a witness rather than being distant or bureaucratic.
Bishop Mazzolari announced that the Chrism oil that was blessed would be used to ordain Deacon John Mathiang on July 18.
Besides blessing the oils, priests from the various missions of the diocese renewed the promises made at their ordination during the Chrism mass.
The ceremony was attended by 21 priests together with the Bishop and over 19 religious sisters represented in addition to four major seminarians just arrived from Khartoum.