By Ginaba Lino
South Sudanese Catholic priests from the Augustinian Congregation have offered prayers of thanksgiving to God for sustaining the country through fifteen years of independence, while calling for reconciliation, unity, and collective responsibility to rebuild the nation.
The priests gathered at the Augustinian Congregation headquarters in Gent, Belgium, on Sunday, July 12, 2026, for a Thanksgiving Mass as South Sudan marked its 15th Independence Anniversary.
The celebration reflected on the country’s journey since gaining independence on July 9, 2011, a historic moment that brought hope and aspirations for peace and development among South Sudanese.
In his homily at St. Festanus Parish, Fr. Gaaniko Santo from the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA), said the anniversary was an opportunity for citizens to thank God for the gift of independence while honestly reflecting on the challenges that have affected the nation.
“Fifteen years ago, on 9 July 2011, the people of South Sudan witnessed the birth of a new nation. It was a day filled with joy, hope, celebration and dreams,” Fr. Santo said.
“Today we thank Almighty God, who has sustained our nation through every joy and every trial. We come before Him with grateful hearts for the gift of independence, but also with humble hearts because we recognize that the journey has been far more difficult than we had hoped,” he added.
Based on the Scripture readings from Joel 2:12–18, Psalm 85, Ephesians 2:13–22 and Matthew 5:1–12, Fr. Santo said the theme of the celebration, “Remembering, Reconciling and Rebuilding,” provides a pathway for South Sudan’s future.
He said remembering requires both gratitude and honesty, urging citizens to honor those who sacrificed their lives during the liberation struggle while acknowledging the painful realities of conflict, displacement, hunger, political divisions, tribal violence, corruption and broken trust.
“We cannot pretend these wounds do not exist,” he said, adding that national healing begins when citizens examine their own actions and ask what they have done for their country.
Fr. Santo challenged South Sudanese to reflect on whether they promote peace or division, unity or tribalism, and whether they serve the common good or only personal interests.
Speaking about reconciliation, he said independence alone cannot heal the divisions created by years of conflict, stressing that relationships among communities, families and generations must be restored.
“Reconciliation is not weakness. It is courage. It is choosing dialogue instead of hatred, understanding instead of revenge, and unity instead of division,” he said.
The priest also called on citizens to participate in rebuilding the nation by promoting values of love, justice, trust and hope. “Peace requires action. It requires leaders who govern with integrity, citizens who seek the common good, communities that reject violence, and young people who choose hope over despair,” Fr. Santo said.
He encouraged parents, teachers, religious leaders, public servants and young people to play their roles in shaping a peaceful and prosperous South Sudan.
The Thanksgiving Mass concluded with prayers for healing where there is pain, reconciliation where there is division, justice where there is inequality, and peace where there is conflict.
Fr. Santo prayed for God’s guidance upon South Sudan’s leaders, protection for young people and strength for families as the country continues its journey toward lasting peace and development.
Representing South Sudan’s Ambassador in Belgium, Embassy Secretary Irene Simaya Toro congratulated South Sudanese on the country’s 15th Independence Anniversary, urging citizens at home and abroad to remain united and committed to building a better nation despite ongoing challenges.
“It is with great pleasure that we gather here today to celebrate the independence of the Republic of South Sudan,” Toro said on behalf of Ambassador Eruwata Samuel Ndomi. “Today we celebrate this historic day when South Sudan achieved its independence 15 years ago. It is a time to remember our freedom and sovereignty, but also to appreciate the resilience of the South Sudanese people.”
She said the nation’s greatest strength lies in its people, whose daily hard work, unity and care for one another continue to sustain the country. Referring to this year’s national theme, “15 Years of Freedom and a Better Future Together,” Toro called on South Sudanese to set aside their differences and place the country’s interests first.
“Rome was not built in one day,” she said. “Through our collective efforts, South Sudan will also be built. We call upon every South Sudanese to be an ambassador for the country by working hard, supporting one another and contributing positively wherever they are.”
Toro also paid tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their lives during the liberation struggle, saying their courage and vision made independence possible.
She thanked the Augustinian Fathers of the Belgian Province for organizing the Thanksgiving Mass and the hosts for providing the venue. Concluding her remarks, she expressed optimism about the country’s future, saying, “Despite the challenges, she believes the Country still have a better tomorrow.