Catholic Church in Torit has baptized 22 adult inmates and 11 children of convicted mothers as Christians prepare for the Easter celebration.
The inmates received the sacrament of Baptism at Torit central prison to become new Christians in life.
Fr. Anthony Odoemelam parish priest of Our Lady of Holy Rosary in the Catholic Diocese of Torit called the newly Baptized Christians to follow the teaching of Jesus Christ.
He says the word of God will guide them in their daily activities.
Anthony Odoemelam advises the new Christians to love and render respect to one another and the concerned authority at the prison.
“I want to congratulate you for giving yourself to Christ, now that you have received this sacrament of Baptism remember Christ is in you. You have to leave that Christ life even in this prison and allow the spirit of God to govern whatever you do,”
Priest encourages them to love their brothers, and sisters and respect others in the prison.
“let the spirit of God continue to guide you in whatever you continue to do, even if you are here, bean ambassador of Christ, the love of Christ in you let them see you that this is a Christian, follow of Christ and accept him as saviour.”
The priest has encouraged newly Baptized Christians to leave a good and holy life through the sacrament of repentance.
“You are to protect God’s light in you, make sure that you must leave a good, holy life, whenever you sin, there is what is called the sacrament of penance, and you go to conversion so that this light that was lost during your sin will come back afresh in your life.”
While Gen. Ceaser Tombe appreciates the Catholic Church in Torit of Eastern Equatoria state for strengthening the faith at the prison calling on prisoners to act positively to change their behaviours to avoid committing crimes.
He says many people commit crimes as a result of the influence of Satan.
“The church can correct and strengthen you in your faith, behaviour, reform your faith, whatever the church says don’t play with it, for the Satan to enter you repeat the same mistake.”
He warned the inmates to avoid committing crimes as a result of Satan misleading the people of God. “if your faith is weak Satan will divert you to wrongdoings, but if your faith is strong Satan cannot do anything.”
In February this year, five inmates were ordained as pastors at Torit Central Prison by the pastors’ Network of Evangelical Churches in Eastern Equatoria State. Torit Central Prison hosts over 300 inmates.