The administrator elected has expressed readiness to assume his caretaker responsibility of governing the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek if his superior gives consent.
The Episcopal See of Rumbek became vacant when Bishop Caesar Mazzolari passed away on Saturday, July 16, 2011.Last Thursdays the Council of Priests elected Salvator Ferrao diocesan administrator.
Fr. Ferrao told Good News Radio that he is ready to run the diocese with the help of another four priests who were part of the team that elected him.
He said that being a member of a religious order, he requires the consent of his Superior Provincial.
The Jesuit priest revealed that he was advised by some friends of the late bishop not to refuse to assume the office of diocesan Administrator if elected.
He got three votes out of five consultors.
The 69-year old Indian priest said tearfully that he would be happy if an African would govern the diocese of Rumbek.
He added that he has no difficulty assuming responsibility since it is the will of God.
He said he would like the team of the five priests to work together to make the Diocese of Rumbek “a sanctifying presence in the entire African continent.”
Fr. Ferrao disclosed that he was the confessor of late bishop Caesar Mazzolari.
Both maintained an intimate and mutual spiritual relationship, adding that the late bishop is enjoying that first step towards the canonization as a servant of God.
The Metropolitan Archbishop of South Sudan, Paolino Lokudu Loro, last Thursday told a group of priests, religious women and men, and partners of the diocese gathered in Rumbek that Fr. Ferrao was elected to run the diocese in collaboration with four other priests.
The four priests to assist Fr. Ferrao in the government of the diocese until the Pope appoints a new bishop or apostolic administrator are Andrea Osman, Henry Gidudu, Don Bosco Ochieng, all from the diocesan clergy, and Comboni Missionary Mario Riva.