New Diocese of Bentiu in South Sudan – “God listened to our prayers”

The celebration began on Thursday, August 8, when Monsignor Carlassare arrived in Bentiu, at Rubkona airport (near Bentiu), he was received by a delegation composed of representatives of the Church and the government of the Unity State. The prelate arrived accompanied by the Bishop of Malakal Monsignor Stephen Nyodho Ador Majwak, Fr. John Malou Beny, Vicar General of the Diocese of Rumbek, Fr. Fernando González Galarza, Secretary General of the mission, of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus who represented Fr. Tesfaye Tadesse Gebresilasie, Superior General of the Comboni Missionaries and a dozen priests of the new Diocese of Bentiu, the Diocese of Malakal and the Diocese of Rumbek. The welcome ceremony at the airport was brief and very festive: singing, dancing, greetings, gifts and symbols of welcome.

The caravan began its pilgrimage to Bentiu. First of all, they went to the mission of Yoynyang, founded in 1925, by the Comboni missionaries, dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, it is the first mission in the history of the new Diocese of Bentiu. Msgr. Stephen Nyodho explained to the crowd that the purpose of his visit was the inauguration of the new Diocese of Bentiu created by His Holiness Pope Francis and to accompany Msgr. Christian Carlassare in his new mission as the first bishop of the nascent diocese and invited everyone to joyfully welcome their new pastor and to work together with him. In turn, Monsignor Carlassare addressed the crowd and expressed his availability and joy in carrying out this new mission that Pope Francis entrusted to him as bishop of Bentiu and invited everyone to form a single family in the Church in communion with Christ. The crowd accompanied the words of both bishops with applause, songs, shouts of joy and dances.

The pilgrimage to Bentiu continued with a crowd that grew larger and larger as more people joined the march in the streets of the town. They all wore the colourful uniforms representative of their parishes and parish groups (Legion of Mary, choirs, etc.) and carried their flag or banner that represented them. Finally, amidst songs and dances, the procession and the crowd that accompanied them arrived at the parish of Bentiu, dedicated to Saint Martin de Porres. Several choirs and parish groups were already waiting for them.

Bishop Stephen Nyodho said he was accompanying Bishop Christian Carlassare for the inauguration of the new Diocese of Bentiu, handing over his new office and introducing him to God's people as their new pastor. Bishop Christian said he will promote peace and unity throughout the diocese. And he also thanked the affectionate reception in which thousands of people participated. Deputy. Gov. James Tor Tungwar welcomed the new bishop: "We, the government of the Unity State, welcome you and look forward to a period of peace and unity." The welcome ended and was cheered up by songs by various choirs and shouts of joy from the women.

On August 10, in the afternoon, on the eve of the great celebration, it rained for about three hours. People interpreted this storm as a blessing from God and a sign that God blessed the Catholic people of Unity State with a new diocese and bishop, thus confirming that God had heard their prayers and that through the new diocese God will continue to pour out abundant blessings upon them. In addition, the Unity State is also having a new governor, who is Catholic. In the culture of the Nuer people, rain is always a blessing from God, although it sometimes causes disasters.

The long-awaited day arrived: August 11, 2024, marked not only the history of the Church in South Sudan but also the history of the country because the birth of a new diocese has positive repercussions beyond the Catholic people, beyond the Church. The Eucharistic celebration was held on the land that the Unity State government gave to the diocese so that the cathedral, the bishop's house and other buildings necessary for the proper functioning of the nascent diocese could be built there.

Before the Eucharistic celebration began, the papal bulls of the creation of the Diocese of Bentiu and the appointment of Monsignor Christian Carlassare as the first bishop were read and shown to the people of God. He, too, made the Profession of Faith and the Oath of Fidelity to the Church. He presided over the Eucharistic celebration as titular bishop of the new diocese. Several leaders of the Church of South Sudan participated, including: His Eminence Stephen Cardinal Martin Ameyu, Archbishop of Juba and the Bishop of Malakal Monsignor Stephen Nyodho Ador Majwak, along with other bishops. Prominent members of the country's government and the Unity State also participated, including: the Minister of Home Affairs, Angelina Teny, who is Catholic, and the governor of the Unity State: Justice Riek Bim.

In his homily, Monsignor Christian exhorted all the Catholic faithful to work in communion with him to build together this new diocese and to be one family in Christ Jesus. In turn, Cardinal Stephen Martin Ameyu recognized the strength in faith, the resilience of the Catholic people in the face of great challenges and conflicts, and their perseverance in prayer that have been crowned with this new diocese. For his part, Msgr. Stephen Nyodho Ador Majwak pointed out that the creation of a new diocese is not a division, on the contrary, it strengthens the presence and service of the Church to the people of God. Both the Minister of Internal Affairs Angelina Teny and the Governor of the Unity State pledged the collaboration of the national and state government in the growth and development of the Diocese of Bentiu. The three-hour ceremony was animated by various choirs, liturgical dance groups and liturgical teams from various parishes.

In the afternoon, Msgr. Carlassare met with faithful from the various parishes of the Diocese of Bentiu and representatives of some parishes from the neighboring dioceses of MalaKal and Rumbek. The bishop received a wide variety of gifts: large bulls, sheep, goats, clothes, bead necklaces and so many other things according to the creativity of each Christian community. Each delegation presented its gifts by singing a song and performing a dance. It was the first informal meeting between the new shepherd and his flock. A moment marked by familiarity, closeness, joy, faith, generosity and hope that God is creating new things, and that God will continue to pour out abundant blessings on his beloved people through the Diocese of Bentiu and its first pastor Bishop Christian Carlassare.

The celebrations for the new diocese and bishop ended on August 12 when Monsignor Carlassare celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving to God for the new diocese and for his appointment as the first bishop. He also thanked those who collaborated in the organization and realization of all the events held. The church authorities had already returned to Juba, the capital of South Sudan. The new bishop was accompanied by his clergy, representatives of the various ministries of the various parishes, some priests from the dioceses of Malakal and Rumbek, the vicar general of the diocese of Rumbek Fr. John Malou Beny and Fr. Fernando González Galarza, representative of the Comboni missionaries. Also participating on behalf of the government were: Minister of Home Affairs Angelina Teny and Unity State Governor Justice Riek Bim. In his message, the governor said he will work together with the bishop for peace, reconciliation and unity within the diocese, but also with neighboring dioceses and states. Fr. Fernando read the message that Fr. Tesfaye Tadesse Gebresilasie, Superior General of the Comboni Missionaries, sent to Monsignor Carlassare, in which he congratulated him on his appointment and told him that the General Council and the Comboni Missionaries will always keep him in mind in their prayers and that they will collaborate with him. The liturgical celebration was animated by the choirs and liturgical dance groups of the parish of Saint Joseph the Worker, of which Father Fernando was parish priest for 14 years.

Everything we have experienced in these days can be summed up in four words: Gratitude, Faith, Joy and Hope. Gratitude: All the celebrations were of thanksgiving to God for the two great gifts he gave to his beloved people: a new diocese and a new bishop, through whom he will continue to bless this portion of his beloved flock. Faith: Everyone in the Diocese of Bentiu firmly believes that God heard their prayers, saw their situation, heard their cries, and, as in the past commanded Moses to deliver his people, to these people who now cried out to him, he gives a diocese and a shepherd to guide them along the paths of life. Joy: All liturgical and non-liturgical celebrations were done in a festive atmosphere to the rhythm of drums, songs, dances, shouts of joy. The best way for the Catholic people of the diocese to express their gratitude to God and their joy for the gifts received is to sing, dance, praise and shout with joy for how wonderful God has been with them. Hope: Every new beginning is a reason for hope, but if everything begins with trust in God, gratitude for the gifts received and the decision to work together for the common good, the future not only looks promising, but rather it is trusted that it will be filled with God's blessings and, in addition, the evangelizing work of the bishop, the pastoral agents and the Catholic faithful will produce many fruits of life.

Fr. Fernando González GatKuoth, MCCJ
Bentiu, 15th agosto 2024
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