By Raphael Makuei Majok
A high-level delegation from Misereor, the German Catholic Bishops’ Organization for Development Cooperation, has arrived in Rumbek for a visit aimed at strengthening solidarity with the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek and assessing development initiatives supported through the Church.
The delegation, led by Archbishop Stefan Burger of Freiburg, includes Fr. Dr. Andreas Frick, Director of Misereor; Katherina Goette, Misereor Desk Officer for South Sudan; Uwe Bergmeier, Head of Dialogue and Partnership Services; and Ita Reilly, interpreter for Archbishop Burger.
The visit is providing the Misereor team with an opportunity to meet diocesan partners, engage communities and gain firsthand insight into the impact of projects supported by the German Catholic development organisation.
The delegation was received by Fr. John Malou, Delegate of the Apostolic Administrator, and Moses Kopurot Kenyi, Education Coordinator of the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek. Priests, religious sisters, diocesan staff, school leaders, teachers and pupils also joined the reception.
Welcoming the delegation on behalf of Bishop Christian Carlassare and the faithful of the Diocese of Rumbek, Fr. John Malou described the visit as a blessing and expressed gratitude for the partnership between Misereor and the local Church.
Moses Kopurot Kenyi, Education Coordinator of the Diocese of Rumbek, also welcomed the delegation and thanked Misereor for its continued support.
He acknowledged the hot weather in Rumbek while expressing hope that the visitors would have a safe and comfortable stay.
For Fr. Dr. Andreas Frick, the visit marks his first trip to South Sudan and an opportunity to move beyond reports and project documents to meet people and see the realities of communities supported through Misereor’s partnerships.
Fr. Frick said Misereor works with partners in 83 countries and supports around 3,000 projects worldwide.
He expressed appreciation for the warm reception in Rumbek and said the visit was also significant because it coincided with the celebration of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Misereor director said he would use the occasion to pray and give thanks for the people of Rumbek and the work being carried out through the Diocese.
Archbishop Stefan Burger thanked the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek for the warm welcome and said his first visit to South Sudan was an opportunity to listen, learn and better understand the realities facing the people.
He stressed that the delegation had not come merely as representatives of a development organisation, but as Christians connected to the people of Rumbek through a shared faith.
“Christian faith” creates solidarity across geographical and national borders, Archbishop Burger said, emphasizing that humanity should not be divided into separate “worlds”, but understood as one community.
He said Jesus Christ unites people through love and expressed hope that the visit would deepen the bonds of solidarity between the Church in Germany and the Church in South Sudan.
As part of the visit, Archbishop Burger officially commissioned a new Education Office constructed with financial assistance from Misereor.
The office is expected to contribute to the Diocese’s efforts to strengthen the coordination and management of its education programmes.
The Misereor delegation is expected to visit several projects supported by the organisation in partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek during its stay.
The visit highlights the continuing partnership between the Church in Germany and the local Church in South Sudan, particularly in supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening communities and responding to their development needs.