Training of new catechists and seminar on traditional Nuer reconciliation

The new Catechists attended an intensive five months training at the Catechetical Centre ‘James Duol Kai’, a parish institution that was set up for the formation of local Christian leaders. They have been trained on Bible, catechesis, liturgy, ecclesiology, justice and peace and other subjects. The trained was done entirely in the Nuer language and conducted by a team of four local trained catechists.

At the end of the Holy Mass, presided by Fr Raimundo Nonato Rocha dos Santos, the thirteen new evangelizers were given their certificates and sent out to collaborate with the work of evangelization among the Nuer community. This endeavour implements the dream of St. Daniel Comboni who wanted the Africans to be the evangelizers of their own people.

At the end of the Holy Mass,
the thirteen new evangelizers
were given their certificates.

The people of St. Joseph’s Parish are grateful the Diocese of Malakal, the Comboni Missionaries and Comboni Missionaries Sisters, the families and Christian communities for these newly trained catechists, and to those who have contributed with their financial support: Brazil, Germany, Italy and England.

Seminar on traditional
Nuer reconciliation at Leer,
South Sudan.

Always in the parish of St. Joseph, a seminar on “Traditional Experiences of Reconciliation – The Nuer Reconciliation Ceremonies” was held last month (8-9 November). This seminar was promoted and facilitated by Fr. Raimundo dos Santos, with the assistance of Michael Gatluak and Matthew Popuom. Sixty people from both Catholic and Presbyterian churches of the four southern counties of Unity State attended this seminar. Present were also two elders and three head chiefs from Panyijiar, Leer and Mayiendit counties.

The aim of the seminar – which had nothing to do with magic or evil activities – was to promote and draw lessons from the traditional Nuer reconciliation ceremonies so that more initiatives may be taken at the grass roots level to promote peace and reconciliation among individuals and communities. The five guest speakers made their presentation. People were allowed to ask questions.

Please, find in the attachment the report on the seminar.

In the middle of the picture: Fr. Raimundo dos Santos, Brazilian Comboni missionary.