The Catholic Bishop of Tombura-Yanbio issued a Thank-you note to all who took part in the centenary celebrations of the Church in Western Equatoria classifying the event “a runaway success beyond all expectations.”
Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala said nearly 73,000 people celebrated 100 years of Catholic presence in Mupoi between December 1 and 17 under the theme “Courage, stand up and walk.”He announced that during the celebrations 200 children were baptized, 500 sick people were anointed, 90 couples were married, 700 returned to the catholic faith, 1017 received the Sacrament of Confirmation, 30 Sisters renewed their vows and three young men were ordained priests.
Bishop Hiiboro explained that the Centenary of Faith in Western Equatoria should be a time for thanksgiving and for questioning, a reflection for deep renewal, re-evaluating and enriching the faith.
One hundred years of faith is not simply a mathematical number of years, but the fruit of the grace of the Word of God, he said.
Bishop Hiiboro apologized for any wrong committed by the Catholic Church during the past 100 years in Western Equatoria.
He gave “a serious vote of thanks” to the Comboni Missionaries, the Fathers of Faith in Tombura-Yambio diocese.
Bishop Hiiboro also thanked the presence of the Pope’s envoy to the centenary celebration, Cardinal John Cardinal Onainyekan of Abuja, in Nigeria, saying he walked right into the hearts of all.
The Catholic Bishop of Tombura-Yambio concluded that the centenary celebrations have come and gone, leaving the happiest memories and a lively sense of God’s blessing over all.