The Bishop of Rumbek is calling on the pastoral agents of his diocese to address the consciences of those they minister to form responsible Christians.
Bishop Caesar Mazzolari made this statement on Monday evening during the opening of the thirteenth annual diocesan meeting that brings together Church personnel from various missions, institutions and departments.The Bishop stressed the need for a deeper evangelization in the new context of an independent South Sudan.
He explained that the post-referendum reality offers a fertile ground for preaching the gospel to the people who have experienced a new sense of freedom and nurture realistic aspirations for a new identity.
Bishop Mazzolari said he expects pastoral agents in his diocese to work together to bring about responsibility and commitment among the faithful.
He went on to stress on the need to work together for the common good through a life influenced by the Gospel values, insisting that it is a practical faith that has to be shared in the post-referendum time and beyond.
Bishop Mazzolari recognized the role of the life of the people, recalling the words of the pope in his New Year message that the Church is the one reality that can bring real hope to the world.
The Bishop concluded his address by urging the Church personnel to pray for the eternal happiness of seven priests who have died in the past few years while serving in Rumbek Diocese, both religious and diocesan.
He also prayed for God’s blessings upon the over 90 Church personnel serving in his diocese.