World Day of Consecrated Life: South Sudanese Bishop Urges Proactive Vocations Promotion to Safeguard Church’s Future

“Dear consecrated women and men, for continuity, sustainability, and the survival of the Church, I ask you clearly: actively recruit, accompany, and form local vocations,” he said in his message for the occasion celebrated annually on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

Bishop Hiiboro, who serves as the President of the Integral Human Development Commission of the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SSS-CBC), added, “A Church without local vocations is fragile. A religious community without succession is temporary.”

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY)

The South Sudanese Bishop found it unfortunate that there are religious communities that have existed in the world’s youngest nation for more than twenty-five years without recruiting local vocations.

“With respect, love, and pastoral concern, I say clearly: This must change,” Bishop Hiiboro said, and added, “I will follow this matter closely and personally, not as a threat, but as a pastoral duty entrusted to me.”

The Catholic Church said that The Beatitudes ere the living blueprint of missionary discipleship, describing them as “the pastoral plan of Jesus” and the foundation upon which the Church in South Sudan was built.

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY)

Reflecting on the Beatitude “Blessed are the poor in spirit”, he said the first missionaries embodied the true missionary spirit by arriving “poor in spirit,” leaving behind comfort, security, and familiarity to serve the people.

Bishop Hiiboro noted that the early missionaries embraced simplicity and sacrifice, learned local languages, respected cultures and values, and lived closely with the communities they served.

The missionaries, he said, did not dominate; they served. They did not impose; they accompanied,” the Bishop said, explaining that this spirit of humble service enabled the Gospel to take root in the land.

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY)

Reflecting on “Blessed are those who mourn”, he said missionaries shared deeply in the suffering of the people, mourning sickness, death, war, displacement, and injustice alongside the communities they served.

He said that the early missionaries did not observe suffering from a distance, but carried it in their hearts, stressing that authentic mission is inseparable from solidarity with the suffering.

On “Blessed are the meek”, the Bishop highlighted the respect missionaries showed for culture and human dignity, noting that they did not destroy local identity but purified culture with the Gospel.

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY)

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He said the missionaries trusted local leadership and believed deeply in succession, working deliberately to train, ordain, and consecrate local priests and religious so that the Church would belong to the people.

The Bishop reflected on the Beatitude“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,” describing the missionaries’ approach in Sudan as the wisdom that saved the local Church.

Recalling the expulsion of foreign missionaries in 1964 by the Sudanese Muslim government, he noted that the Church did not collapse because there were already local Priests and religious.

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY)

“In our Diocese at that time, there were only five Priests and six Sisters, yet the Church survived,” he said, emphasizing that such history is not merely a memory but “a pastoral lesson” for the present.

Reflecting on “Blessed are the merciful”, Bishop Hiiboro described Consecrated Life as mercy in action, seen in teaching the young, healing the sick, comforting the wounded, and reconciling divided communities.

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY)

In the fragile context of South Sudan, he said, Consecrated men and women continue to be visible signs of mercy and hope, adding, “For this faithful service, we say: thank you.”

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY)

Reflecting on “Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness’ sake”, he said the Church in South Sudan “was born in sacrifice, survived persecution, and will grow through faithfulness.”

Addressing young people, especially young women, he said, “God is still calling you. Do not be afraid.” To religious communities, he urged them to “plant seeds that will outlive you.”

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY)

The Bishop said that The Beatitudes are not ideals reserved for a few, but “the pastoral plan of Jesus” that shaped the missionary journey of the Church and must continue to guide its future.

“May consecrated life continue to be a light, a memory, and a promise for our diocese and for South Sudan,” he implored.