By Obiala Angel De-son | Torit
The Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan, Archbishop Seán Patrick Horgan, ordained three priests and four deacons on Friday at Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Loa, Western Deanery of the Catholic Diocese of Torit.
During the ordination ceremony, Archbishop Horgan urged the newly ordained to reject worldly desires and dedicate themselves to serving God and His people.
“My dear priests and deacons, we ordain you for a mission — to lead the people of God. You are meant to be signposts pointing to divine reality. We must know what is in the Gospel, for we cannot preach what we do not understand. Do not blemish the people by how you live. Do not disfigure them by becoming worldly men grasping for money. Your first duty is to represent Christians to God.”
Archbishop Horgan encouraged the ordained to persevere despite challenges they may face in their ministry.
“Do not lose hope in your vocation. Your journey will be tempered by life’s difficulties. But do not lose sight of your mission — take it seriously, for it is the mission of Christ.”
The ordination ceremony was attended by hundreds of faithful from the Western, Eastern, and Central Deaneries of the Diocese of Torit, as well as pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Juba and refugee camps in Uganda’s Adjumani District. Several national and state government officials were also in attendance.
Eastern Equatoria State Governor Hon. Louis Lobong Lojore addressed the gathering, calling on the newly ordained to promote unity and reconciliation among South Sudanese communities.
“The Catholic Church in South Sudan has stood as a beacon of hope — advocating for peace, justice, and reconciliation. The Church has been there in moments of joy and trials, feeding the hungry, educating the youth, healing the sick, and guiding the faithful. This ordination is a celebration that shows God is still raising leaders who will guide us morally and spiritually.”
Governor Lobong reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with the Catholic Church in peacebuilding, unity, and development.