Vatican’s Donation Helps Realize Bishops’ Retirement Home in South Sudanese Archdiocese

“This house is a contribution from the Holy Father. I knew that I was retiring more than a year ago. When I met the Pope, I spoke of my imminent retirement,” Archbishop Lukudu told ACI Africa.

He added in reference to Pope Francis, “I asked him to build this house. The support I got from the Pope went a long way into seeing the construction of this facility with generous donations from our friends.”

The Archbishop Emeritus added that a lot of preparation had gone into the construction of the house that is now located at St. Mary’s College of the Archdiocese of Juba, opposite All Saints Church.

Various sources have told ACI Africa the building cost at least US$200,000.00 including the Papal Foundation contribution of US$100,000.00, according to information that was provided by the Secretary General of the Archdiocese of Juba, Fr. Samuel Abe.

Fr. Samuel said that the first retirement facility, which is intended for other subsequent retiring Prelates in Juba Archdiocese is spacious enough to accommodate multiple Church leaders.

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The four-bedroom house has a separate kitchen and separate rooms for visitors and an office. There are also three rooms in the workers’ quarter with simple houses and two rooms in the area of the watchman, plus a reception area.

“This is the first retirement facility here and anybody that will be retired will be there. The idea is that all the Bishops who will be retiring will put up here,” Fr. Samuel told ACI Africa.

The main donor for this retirement home is the Papal Foundation in Rome through which Pope Francis helps the Church in hardship areas. The other donors, according to the Archdiocesan Secretary, include the Propaganda Fide and the Comboni Missionaries.

At the official opening of the facility June 15, the Vicar General and the Secretary of the Archdiocese of Juba thanked the donors for their contribution in the construction of the retirement home for the retired Catholic Prelates.