“Let’s build Church in love, forgiveness”: South Sudanese Bishop-elect ahead of Ordination

In his April 22 address to the congregation gathered to welcome him, Mons. Lodiong highlighted the need for the people of God in South Sudan to foster virtues such as “sincerity, truthfulness, equality and justice” as well as “joy, love, and charity”.

“We need to be rich in good work, sincerity, truthfulness, equality and justice. Whatever good things you say, you have to be rich in,” the 51-year-old Bishop-elect said, and added, “If we are rich in good work, at the end, everybody will be part of the richness.” 

He said that “joy, love, and charity are virtues that are necessary for spiritual growth and promotion of the Church.”

A native of the Catholic Diocese of Yei, Mons. Lodiong was ordained a Priest in June 2001 after completing his Philosophy and Theology studies at St. Paul National Major Seminary.

The alumnus of the Rome-based Pontifical Urbaniana University where he obtained his Licentiate in Biblical Theology has, since his Priestly ordination, served in various positions, including Parish Vicar of Sacred Heart, Lomin, Kajo Keji (2001-2002) and Secretary General of Yei Diocese (2002-2006).

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The South Sudanese Bishop-elect obtained a Diploma in Computer Science at the Kenya-based Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) in 2003). 

He also pursued studies in Financial Management and Administration at the Nairobi-based Christian Organization Research and Advisory Trust of Africa (CORAT Africa) from 2006-2007.

In his native Diocese of Yei, he has also previously served as Diocesan Bursar, Coordinator of Communication and Education, Diocesan Youth Chaplain, and Rector of St Augustine's Diocesan Minor Seminary.

Once ordained a Bishop, Mons. Lodiong is expected to oversee Yei Diocese, which measures 46,000 km² with an estimated population of 231,950 Catholics, representing 49.1 percent of the population, according to 2020 statistics.

Patrick Juma Wani is a South Sudanese journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. Patrick holds a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication from Makerere Institute for Social Development (MISD) in Uganda. He has over 7 years of extensive experience in leading the development and implementation of media, advocacy, communication and multimedia strategy and operations, with an excellent track record of editorial leadership, budget management, and stakeholder outreach. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.