CRN|Chuol Jany| Eight Catholic bishops from Sudan and South Sudan paid a solidarity visit to the faithful of St. Stephen Parish in Kodok on Friday, celebrating a special Mass with the local congregation along the River Nile about two hours away by speedboat from Malakal.
The visit came a day after the bishops arrived in Malakal for their annual conference. Among the visiting prelates were His Lordship Stephen Nyodho Ador, Bishop of Malakal; the Bishop of Tombura-Yambio, the Bishop of Wau, the Bishop of Torit, the Bishop of Yei, the Auxiliary Bishop of Juba, the Bishop of El Obeid, and the Auxiliary Bishop of Khartoum, accompanied by several priests.
In his homily, Bishop Mathew Remijo Adam of Wau encouraged the congregation to remain steadfast in faith despite the hardships caused by conflict and flooding in the region.
“Kodok is a special place for me,” he said. “It is where I began my seminary journey in the 1980s. It is a privilege to return and see this community again after so many years.”
Bishop Remijo called for peace and unity, urging the faithful “to remain one people under God and to live according to the will of Christ.”
Bishop Stephen Nyodho Ador described the visit as an act of solidarity with the people of Fashoda and the broader Upper Nile region.
“We know our people are facing many challenges — from war to flooding — but our visit is to bring encouragement, strengthen their faith, and remind them that God is with them,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to his fellow church leaders for their commitment to accompany the people of Malakal and neighboring communities.
“This journey is a sign of hope, love, and solidarity,” Bishop Nyodho added.
The Bishop of Tombura-Yambio Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala emphasized the significance of holding the bishops’ plenary in Malakal, noting that the decision was meant to stand with the suffering faithful in Upper Nile.
“Many areas remain submerged by water, and some parishes now operate like small islands,” he said. “Being here with them is an act of presence and compassion.”
On Sunday, the bishops are expected to launch Small Christian Communities in the spirit of the ongoing Synod on Synodality, reinforcing the Church’s mission to build communion, participation, and mission among the faithful.