The plenary meeting of the Sudan Catholic Bishop’s Conference (SCBC) kicked off today in Juba with seven Bishops and two Monsignors.
The opening Eucharistic Celebration in St. Joseph was officiated by the Apostolic Nuncio in Sudan, Leo Boccardi.
The meeting will address issues concerning the forthcoming Referenda of Southern Sudan and Abyei, scheduled for January 9 2011.
In the opening statement, Bishop Rudolf Deng Majak, Chairman of the SCBC, said the SCBC would meet twice this year to address the issues surrounding the Referendum.
Bishop Deng explained that the faithful and citizens of Sudan look to the Church in anticipation of a better future.
He prayed that God would bless the endeavor of the Catholic Church to bring forth better life and future for the people in Sudan.
The opening of the plenary was graced by GoSS Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Kosta Manibe, Bishops Paolino Lokudu of Juba, Rufolf Deng of Wau, Daniel Adwok Auxiliary Bishop of Khartoum, Macram Max Gassis of El Obeid, Erkolano Lodu of Yei, Vincent Mojwok Bishop Emeritus of Malakal, Antonio Menegazzo, Apostolic Admnistrator of El Obeid, and Monsignors Roko Taban Apostolic Administrator of Malakal. Mons. Michael Didi, who will become Co-auditor Bishop of El- Obeid next August, was also in attendance.