Advertisement

Missionary Sisters Who Fled from Sudan’s Civil War Lauded for Thriving Pastoral Programs in Neighboring Countries

Bishop Edward Hiiboro Kussala of South Sudan’s Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY). Credit: Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Uganda
Bishop Edward Hiiboro Kussala of South Sudan’s Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY). Credit: Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Uganda
Credit: Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Uganda
Credit: Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Uganda
Credit: Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Uganda
Credit: Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Uganda
Credit: Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Uganda
Credit: Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Uganda
Credit: Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Uganda
Credit: Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Uganda
Credit: Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Uganda
Credit: Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Uganda

Bishop Edward Hiiboro Kussala of South Sudan’s Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY) has praised the Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary (MSBVM), whose members fled from a civil war in Sudan over three decades ago, and are now behind thriving pastoral and social programs in South Sudan and Uganda.

In his congratulatory message addressed to the Congregation’s Superior General, Mother Anthonieta Bakosoro,  following the profession in Uganda of the six members of the congregation, Bishop Hiiboro acknowledged the Sisters' active role in advancing the mission and vision of their institute.

“I am thankful to all my great Sisters of the institute, who are already engaged in various pastoral and social programs across Uganda and South Sudan,” the Bishop said in his message to the congregation that relocated to Uganda from Sudan in 1993.

Bishop Edward Hiiboro Kussala of South Sudan’s Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY). Credit: Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Uganda

MSBVM was founded in Sudan in 1980, during the period between the end of the country’s first civil war in 1972 and the outbreak of the second in 1983. As the civil wars intensified, the growing threat to the Sisters' safety forced them to flee to the Central African Republic in December 1990, where they spent three years at a refugee camp.

Advertisement

As foreigners in the French-speaking country, the Sisters faced challenges in settling and accessing education.

At the end of 1993 Bishop, Joseph Abangite Gasi who served as Local Ordinary of Tombura in Sudan at the time directed them to relocate to Uganda, recognizing the need for a stable center and the support of the Comboni Sisters to foster their growth and development. Bishop Gasi would later retire as Bishop of South Sudan’s Tombura-Yambio.

Credit: Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Uganda

Bishop Gasi was inspired to educate the Sisters as evangelizers and teachers, able to fulfill their mission of improving the lives of women and families. The Sisters trained for all levels of formal and informal education with children, adolescents, and women in Sudan, South Sudan, and beyond.

In his congratulatory message shared with ACI Africa on Monday, January 20, Bishop Hiiboro commended the leadership of Mother Anthonieta Bakosoro, expressing confidence in the direction the institute is taking under her guidance.

More in Africa

He also paid tribute to his predecessor, the late Bishop Gasi, for his role in ensuring the safety of the young sisters during Sudan's civil war, saying, “Bishop Gasi, during the challenging years of the civil war in Sudan, moved his young sisters to the Central African Republic and later found a haven for them in Uganda.”

Credit: Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Uganda

The South Sudanese Bishop also expressed gratitude to Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, the Archbishop Emeritus of Kampala Archdiocese for facilitating the establishment of the sisters' mother house in Namugongo, and the late Bishop Frederick Drandrua of Arua Diocese for his support in their resettlement.

The Bishop further extended his appreciation to the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) for providing learning opportunities for seminarians from South Sudan in Uganda’s major seminaries. He also thanked the Ugandan people for their hospitality and support over the years.

Credit: Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Uganda

Advertisement

“It is with great joy that we celebrate the four newly perpetual sisters, all of whom are Ugandans,” Bishop Hiiboro said, adding that the late Bishop Gasi’s vision has resulted in the MSBVM becoming an international institute.

The Bishop acknowledged the faithful from the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio and South Sudanese residents in Kampala for their support and participation in the event. He also expressed gratitude to priests, members of other religious congregations, and seminarians for their active involvement.

Credit: Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Uganda

In addition, he urged continued support for the sisters, saying, “They need financial assistance and other forms of support to manage and sustain this great congregation.” He called for prayers for peace and success in their ministry and expressed his joy at the vibrant singing and services during the event.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.