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Shun “every form of vanity”: Vatican Cardinal to Newly Ordained Deacons in South Sudan

Michael Cardinal Czerny after the Diaconate Ordination of Seminarians Michael Thilyang Gatkek, Emmanuel Changjwok Pawang Lual, and Matthew Akoabanda Arrey at the Catholic Church dedicated in honor of St. Josephine Bakhita on 8 February 2024. Credit: Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD)

By Jude Atemanke

Malakal, 08 February, 2024 / 9:48 pm (ACI Africa).

The Prefect for the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD) has called upon the three Deacons he ordained in South Sudan on Thursday, February 8, the Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, to shun all forms of pride and self-idolatry, which he said would distance them from God’s graces.

In his homily during the Diaconate Ordination of Seminarians Michael Thilyang Gatkek, Emmanuel Changjwok Pawang Lual, and Matthew Akoabanda Arrey, Michael Cardinal Czerny urged them to be part of those, who “build a civilization of love and peace in the world today.”

Credit: Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD)

The mission of contributing to the culture of love and peace can be achieved “by imitating Jesus Christ, the Master who came, not to be served, but to serve,” he told the Deacons-elect, and emphasized, “Your ministry should be centered on Him, avoiding every form of vanity that may distract you.”

“This means avoiding every form of greed, hunger for power, wealth, tribalism or even an unhealthy nationalism,” Cardinal Czerny explained.

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He went on to acknowledge the fact that the evangelization mission is not without challenges, and said, “Confronting the difficulties of our age, you must speak of Jesus, witness to Jesus, with hopefulness, cheerfulness and joy, especially when you meet the poor and suffering.”

Credit: Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD)

“In light of these, and other, particular challenges that you will encounter throughout your life and ministry, I point you to the commitments that you will make as we celebrate the ritual of the ordination of deacons,” the Czechian-born member of the Society of Jesus (SJ/Jesuits) told the Deacons-elect in Malakal Diocese at the Catholic Church dedicated in honor of St. Josephine Bakhita, the Sudanese-born saint, who is the patron saint of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking.

The Vatican-based Cardinal, who arrived in South Sudan on February 3 for his eight-day pastoral trip to mark one year since the first-ever Papal visit to the country lead the people of God at St. Bakhita Church in marking the tenth annual World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking, whose theme is, “Journeying in Dignity. Listen. Dream. Act”.

In his homily, he recalled Pope Francis’ sharing during his General Audience on 11 October 2023 as exemplified in the life of St. Bakhita. The Holy Father said, “The vocation of the oppressed is that of freeing themselves and their oppressors, becoming restorers of humanity. Only in the weakness of the oppressed can the force of God’s love, which frees both, be revealed”.

Credit: Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD)

According to Cardinal Czerny, “Bakhita was able to experience service, not as slavery, but as an expression of the free gift of self.”

“In this and in so many ways, I invite you to learn from this great saint who hails from this part of the world.,” he told the Deacons-elect.

Cardinal Czerny emphasized the need for them to embrace the spirit of service. He said, “Dear brothers Michael, Emmanuel and Matthew, the common thread throughout the prayer and ritual today, the identity of a Deacon, is service.”

Credit: Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD)

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“The diaconate is a ministry of service that requires closeness to Christ, the Bishop and Priests, deacons and the people of God, especially the poor and suffering,” the Cardinal, who founded and directed the African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN) said.

The Prefect of the Vatican DPIHD, who is set to conclude his pastoral visit to South Sudan on Friday, February 9, implored, “Let us pray for these three men as they receive the great Sacrament of Holy Orders and accept their new pastoral responsibilities. And with our Holy Father, Pope Francis, let us pray that we may all be one in Christ Jesus.”

Credit: Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD)

The 3-5 February 2023 Ecumenical Visit to South Sudan, which Pope Francis realized alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Iain Greenshields, was organized under the theme, “I pray that all may be one”, taken from John 17.

Jude Atemanke

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.