Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir has retired from the archdiocese of Khartoum

A historic moment in the Catholic Archdiocese of Khartoum! His Eminence Gabriel Cardinal Zubeir Wako has celebrated his last Mass, as Archbishop of Khartoum, Sunday, November 20, 2016, the solemnity of Christ the King.

Cardinal Zubeir has served as Archbishop of Khartoum for the past 35 years. He will hand over to the new Archbishop, Dr. Michael Didi, a son of the Archdiocese of Khartoum, who has been ordained deacon, priest and bishop by His Eminence Gabriel Cardinal Zubeir Wako. According to the Canon Law of the Catholic, a diocesan bishop retires from the administration of the diocese when he reaches his 75th birthday. Cardinal Zubeir celebrated his 75th birthday on Saturday, 27th February 2016, and on that day he declared that he would retire officially on this day, because he wanted to close the Year of Mercy, which he had opened. He informed the Supreme Pontiff Pope Francis of his intention, which has been accepted. Cardinal Zubeir closed the Year of Mercy in the Archdiocese of Khartoum last Sunday, November 13, 2016.

“I have come to Khartoum – writes the Comboni provincial – to witness this day, a great and historic event, a peaceful transition of leadership in the Catholic Archdiocese of Khartoum. Cardinal Zubeir, formerly the Bishop of Wau (South Sudan), was the first African bishop to become the Archbishop of Khartoum, succeeding Archbishop Agostino Baroni, MCCJ, on 10.10.1981, during the celebration of the Centenary of the death of St. Daniel Comboni. Cardinal Zubeir became the 7th successor of St. Daniel Comboni as Bishop of Khartoum. I am very moved to take part in this historic Mass this evening. Now we are for an-all-night adoration at St. Matthew’s Catholic Cathedral in Khartoum and it will continue till morning.”