The director of Radio Emmanuel celebrated ten years of priesthood on Saturday with a reflection on the mystery of his call.
Santino Lounoi was ordained to the priesthood on January 5, 2003, by Bishop Paride Taban in Chukudum.He recalled that his first assignment was acting parish priest of Chukudum.
Fr Lounoi said Chukudum was the scene of a big tension between the community and the SPLA soldiers and it was very challenging to mediate between the two groups.
After Chukudum, he was youth chaplain for three years and in 2007 became communication coordinator for the Catholic Diocese of Torit and Director of Radio Emmanuel.
On February 1, 2011, Fr Lounoi survived an attack against his car along the Torit-Chukudum road.
He remarked that on that day he missed death by some inches.
Fr Lounoi thanked the Lord for guided him to see through the left driving mirror and spot a man aiming his AK47 at the car, giving him time to ditch the bullets.
He recounted that since ordination, some colleagues died or left priesthood while others remained in the ministry, witness the mysteries and challenges of priesthood.