South Sudan stands in dire need of spiritual leaders, especially native priests.
This is the view Lakes State Minister for Social Development Arkangelo Deng Kuok, shared with the congregation that attended the ordination of a catholic priest on Saturday in Rumbek, Good News Radio reported.Uztaz Deng said South Sudan has sufficient government officials, including ten governors, scores of ministers and commissioners, but few priests.
He encouraged Christians to pray for vocations to the priesthood in South Sudan.
The minister thanked God for the gift of the newly ordained priest.
Uztaz Deng urged the newly ordained priest Marko Tong Dihany to have the Bible always in his hand to sustain his ministry.
Lakes State Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Miriam Paul Jibi said many people look to spiritual leaders as role models, encouraging the new priest to live an exemplary life while following Jesus Christ.
Mama Miriam added that the priesthood of Fr Marko Tong was as a result of his commitment to preaching the Gospel.
The newly ordained priest Fr Tong urged the Christian community to support vocations for priesthood and religious life and asked parents to allow their sons and daughters to freely choose what kind of life they want to live in the Church.
The Catholic Diocese of Rumbek currently has seven diocesan priests and four South Sudanese.