The Catholic Bishops of South Sudan and Sudan and other heads of diocese are meeting in Juba next week with the major seminary at the top of their agenda.
Santino Maurino is the Secretary-General of the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SCBC) in Khartoum.He told CRN that the plenary assembly takes place in Juba from September 19 to 24, but it can be extended up to the 27th when a group of international donors will discuss the reconstruction of St Paul’s Major Seminary in Munuki.
Fr Maurino said the participants in the plenary will study how to restart the three branches of the major seminary that were closed due to the political changes in both Sudans.
He explained that the major seminary is a critical institution to prepare pastoral workers for the Church.
Fr Maurino said the participants in the plenary will also review the issue of the SCBC secretariat.
He explained that the bishops proposed to have one conference with two secretariats in Juba and Khartoum but the Vatican wants one conference with one secretariat.
Fr Maurino added that SCBC plenary will programme the celebration of the Year of the Faith Ð that starts on October 11 and ends on November 24, 2013, the Feast of Christ the King.
Pope Benedict proclaimed the Year of the Faith to celebrate the 50 years of the opening of the Second Vatican Council on October 11, 1962, and the twenty fifth anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.