Pope Francis has established the Catholic Diocese of Bentiu in Unity State, South Sudan, and appointed Bishop Christian Carlassare, who is currently serving as the Local Ordinary of the country’s Rumbek Diocese as its Bishop
The announcement was made by Msgr Paul Lonut the Secretary of the Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan this morning in Unity State.
Bentiu Diocese in Unity state who have been under the administration of Malakal Diocese. Bishop Christian will continue to be the Apostolic Administrator of Rumbek Diocese until Rumbek finds its Bishop.
The news came following the meeting of South Sudan Bishops last week and the Bishop of Malakal Diocese Stephen Nyodho traveled to Unity state Apostolic Nuncio to announce the Diocese.
Bishop Christian Carlassare welcomed the appointment described it as a good news ” It is for us the Gospel of the work of God among his people of South Sudan.
“His Holiness Pope Francis has created the Diocese of Bentiu, carved out of the Diocese of Malakal and appointed me as the first Bishop. I am profoundly touched by the love and trust of the Holy Father as He calls me, limited as I am to serve the Church that is in Bentiu,” Bishop said.
He [Bishop] said it’s a very demanding calls due to so many needs at the very beginning of the new diocese.
“I accepted this appointment with the trust in the lord. Let him take my understanding, my will and my energies. I surrender them to the guidance of his will. What I ask is His grace and your prayers,” said Bishop Christian.
Catholic Church in South Sudan now has eight dioceses in these areas, Juba, Yei, Torit, Tombura -Yambio, Rumbek, Wau, Malakal, and Benitu.