Otto Abut|CRN – Thousands of Christians gathered on Sunday, May 11, 2025, in Rubkona County to celebrate the centenary of the Catholic Church’s presence in Unity State, marking 100 years of faith, service, and community development since its establishment in 1925.
The celebration centered on Yonyang Parish, one of the oldest and most significant parishes in the region, now part of the Bentiu Catholic Diocese. The parish, established during the early missionary efforts in South Sudan, has played a pivotal role in spiritual life and social development across the state for a century.
The centenary Mass was led by Archbishop Seamus Patrick Horgan, the Vatican Ambassador to South Sudan, who delivered a message of unity, peace, and renewed faith to the large congregation.
“This milestone is not only a celebration of the past but a call for deeper faith and stronger community bonds as we look to the future,” Archbishop Horgan said during the service.
The event drew high-profile dignitaries from both the state and national governments. Among them was Vice President for Infrastructure, Taban Deng Gai, a native of the area, who commended the Catholic Church for its longstanding contribution to education, health care, and peacebuilding in Unity State.
The Bentiu Catholic Diocese, which was part of the Malakal Diocese for decades, was elevated to full diocesan status last year by the late Pope Francis, underscoring the growing importance of the Church in this region of South Sudan.
While addressing the congregation of the Diocese of Bentiu State in Yoanyang, H.E. Justice Riek Bim Top, Governor of Unity State, urged all sectors of society to draw inspiration from the past as a guide for future progress.
“Let this celebration not only be a commemoration of the past but a call to action for the future,” Governor Riek Bim Top said. “Let us dedicate ourselves—as government, the church, citizens, and leaders—to the service of our people, the uplifting of the vulnerable, and the promotion of peace and unity. We are entering a new era rooted in strong faith, forgiveness, and development.”
As songs of praise echoed through the air and traditional dances enlivened the celebrations, the centenary stood as a powerful symbol of endurance, faith, and community resilience in a region that has faced years of conflict and displacement.