At Installation of New Catholic University of South Sudan VC, Chancellor Emphasizes “moral values, ethical behaviours”

“My dear brothers and sisters, my dear students, we must respect what the administration tells us, because it comes from above,” the Chancellor of CUofSS said.

He clarified that the call to observe discipline and uphold higher moral standards does not come from the Bishops, but from God. He said, “What you receive here is what God would like us to give you. Those who come here must be ready to embrace the regulations of this university.”

Credit: Sr. Paola Moggi, CMS/Juba/South Sudan

“May this new administration of Brother Bruno help us to embrace a shared sense of responsibility — not only as counsellors, but also as students and staff struggling together,” urged the CUofSS Chancellor. 

CUofSS is both a fruit of sacrifice and a sign of God’s providence, Cardinal Ameyu said, and went on to acknowledge with appreciation the outgoing VC, Fr. Matthew Pagan, for his contribution to the growth of the institution.

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He said, “Fr. Pagan represents the Old Testament, not because it is bad, but because in it all the prophecies were made. Br. Bruno represents the New Testament, the fulfillment of the promise.”

Credit: Sr. Paola Moggi, CMS/Juba/South Sudan

Cardinal Ameyu recalled how challenging it was for the Catholic Bishops to realize a university in Sudan. It was a “complicated” project, he said.

He noted that initial feasibility studies to have Khartoum as the location for the Catholic University revealed complexities that were difficult to surmount and that when the pioneer CUofSS VC, late Jesuit Fr. Michael Schultheis, moved to Juba in 2008, the context was more appropriate.  

Fr. Michael Schultheis, the South Sudanese Cardinal said, “came down here to Juba and found a conducive atmosphere where this university could begin without any feasibility studies. That is how the Catholic university started here in Juba.”

Credit: Sr. Paola Moggi, CMS/Juba/South Sudan

Pioneers always suffer, but pioneers establish,” the President of the the Sudan/South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SSCBC) since his installation in January 2024 said, and lauded those he said have endured challenges to keep the institution of higher learning afloat.

“For 12 years, we have seen the fruits of the effort of all the people who have served this Catholic University. We thank God for the gift of Fr. Matthew Pagan, the outgoing Chancellor, VC, together with all the staff who have worked here,” he said.

The Local Ordinary of Juba Archdiocese since March 2020 acknowledged the incoming VC's steadfastness and commitment to the institution, saying, “My dear Br. Bruno, you are the New Testament; you are a pioneer. You have been here in this Catholic University from the beginning, as its founder, and you have undergone many trials and tribulations.”

Credit: Sr. Paola Moggi, CMS/Juba/South Sudan

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“You have witnessed many professors abandon the university because they were poorly paid. Yet you remained, encouraging those professors who stayed. This is what we recognize,” Cardinal Ameyu said during the September 1 installation of Br. Bruno as the new VC of CUofSS.

He emphasized the value that the Church places has for higher education, saying, “This Catholic University is at the heart of all the Bishops. That is why they always seek a proper succession at the proper time. Many of us have waited for this moment, and we believe this is one of the right times the Lord has given us.”

Nicholas Waigwa is a Kenyan multimedia journalist and broadcast technician with a professional background in creating engaging news stories and broadcasting content across multiple media platforms. He is passionate about the media apostolate and Catholic Church communication.