South Sudanese Parish Celebrating 100 Years Lauded as Place of Refuge through Decades of War

Bishop Lowi further commended the Parish for promoting community development initiatives such as vocational training, youth programs, literacy efforts, and family support, which over the years have transformed lives in a holistic way.

“The Holy Family Parish has lived through times of joy and hardship, through peace and conflict, through displacement and rebuilding,” the Catholic Church leader said and went on to praise the people of God in the Parish for remaining “steadfast in faith and united in spirit like the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.”

In his January 12 remarks, Bishop Lowi, who was Consecrated Bishop of Torit in January 2023, recalled with appreciation the contributions of his predecessors in laying the strong foundation upon which the South Sudan Episcopal See stands.

“We remember with profound gratitude the early missionaries, my predecessors: the late Paride Taban, the first Bishop of Torit; the late Akiyo Johnson Mutek, the second Bishop; Monsignor Thomas Oliha Attiyah, Apostolic Administrator; and Cardinal Ameyu Stephen Mulla,” Bishop Lowi said. 

He continued, “It is an honor for me to read the footsteps of these great people, Priests, Religious, Catechists, Parish elders, and all the faithful who kept the light of Christ shining from generation to generation.”

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“Their perseverance laid the foundation upon which we stand today and challenges us to protect, strengthen, and hand on this great heritage of faith,” he said, urging the people of God under his pastoral care to make the centenary celebration be a moment of renewed “commitment to persevere and remain united in faith into the future.”

He added, “We have journeyed in faith together with our ancestors for 100 years, and yet we know that there is still a long way to go in building the Kingdom of God in our community and nation.”

The Local Ordinary called for a mindset shift on how the local Church supports the evangelization mission, echoing call of the President of the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SCBC) for commitment and self-reliance in his January 12 homily during the Holy Mass for the Palotaka Parish’s Centenary celebration.

He said, “We need to take a new mindset that can help us to stand on our own feet. We do not know what lies ahead, but we need to plan for it. May our perseverance together help us build a society founded on justice, compassion, respect for life, and human dignity.”

“I entrust Holy Family Parish and all our families to the loving protection of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, praying that this centenary celebration may renew your strength, deepen your faith, and strengthen your unity in God’s family. With paternal affection, I impart God’s blessing upon you present here and upon all the children of Palataka throughout the world,” Bishop Lowi said.