Msgr. Paulino Lukudu to resign as head of the Archdiocese of Juba

Msgr. Erkulano Lodu Tombe
and Msgr. Paolino Lukudu Loro
[on the left in the picture].
 

Archbishop Paulino, who turned 75 last Sunday 23 August, said he sent his resignation letter to the Holy Father in Rome on 27 February 2015. In the Roman Catholic Church a Bishop is due to retire from his office at the age of 75.

His resignation was accepted by the Pontiff and Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis, added the retiring Archbishop.

However, he was told by the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan, Bishop Charles Daniel Balvo, that the search for his successor will begin when the bishops for the vacant Dioceses of Malakal, Rumbek and Torit will be appointed. The Archbishop pointed out that he had no intention to continue in office after his retirement, but the circumstances oblige him to wait until his successor is appointed and steps in.

Paulino Lukudu Loro was born in Kwerijik (Juba district) on 23 August 1940. He joined the Congregation of the Comboni Missionaries and was ordained as priest on 12 April 1970. He was later appointed the Bishop of El Obeid on 5 March 1979, after five years of service as Apostolic Administrator of that Diocese, and then appointed the Archbishop of Juba on 19 February 1983. The Vicariate Apostolic of Juba was elevated to the status of Archdiocese of Juba on 12 December 1974 under the leadership of late Bishop Irineus Wien Dud, who was replaced by the Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro in 1983.