Vatican Embassy has for the second time announced that Bishop Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla of Torit Diocese will be installed as the new Archbishop of Juba on 22 March 2020 as scheduled.
Addressing reporters on Saturday at Vatican Embassy, Msgr. Visvaldas Kulbokas appreciates the organizing committee for the preparation.
‘As you know, Sunday 22nd March 2020 is scheduled the ceremony of official entrance and installation of His Grace the most Reverenced Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla to start his duties as the new Archbishop of Juba. Although there is still some few work to be done, I am so thankful personally to all those involved, especially the organizing committee, for what they have achieved so far’, says Msgr. Kulbokas, the delegate of the Congregation for the Evangelization of people’s under the mandate of His Holiness Pop Francis.
The appointment of Bishop Ameyu to replace retired Archbishop Lukudu Loro has been facing a lot of challenges since last year when a group of clergies and laypeople wrote a letter rejecting his appointment.
In a letter dated Dec 12 obtained by CRN, the group says ‘The next Archbishop of Juba must be a visible sign of unity among all the faithful. This requires that, in addition to his mastery of English and Arabic languages, he must have ample knowledge of the local and the culture of indigenous tribes of Archdiocese of Juba.’
They also claimed that Bishop Ameyu is a father of six children.
After a committee from Vatican investigated the matter, on 6 March 2020 Vatican reconfirmed Pope Francis’ appointment of Bishop Ameyu as the new Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba and fixed 22 March 2020 for the installation.
‘I am pleased now to announce to you that after evaluating diligently that entire situation, Pope Francis has confirmed Most Rev. Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla as the new Archbishop of Juba,’ Msgr. Kulbokas noted.
On 8th Sunday, a group of Catholic youth who identified themselves as members from the dominant ethnic group of the Archdiocese attached Fr Nicolas Kiri in his residence in Kator, Juba and beat him. This comes after Fr Kiri read a letter from Vatican to the congregation in the church, concerning the reconfirmation of Bishop Ameyu as the coming Archbishop.
On Monday Archbishop Lukudu Loro expressed his sadness over the matter, called for calm and an end to divisive politics and reckless utterances which lead to animosity and violence.