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Catholic Bishop in South Sudan Urges Major Seminarians to “develop pastoral compassion”

Bishop Alex Lodiong Sakor Eyobo of South Sudan's Yei Diocese. Credit: Courtesy Photo

The Catholic Bishop of South Sudan’s Yei Catholic Diocese has called on Major Seminarians in the East-Central African nation to “develop pastoral compassion” as they journey toward serving the people of God in Priesthood.

Bishop Alex Lodiong Sakor Eyobo who was speaking during the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus at St. Paul National Major Seminary in Juba on June 24 said “pastoral compassion” gives ministers of the Church credibility. 

“One clear thing from the credibility we have is about pastoral compassion. The ministry that we will undertake in the name of Christ must be guided by pastoral compassion,” Bishop Lodiong said.  

The Local Ordinary of the Yei Diocese urged Major Seminarians to cultivate a heart that is compassionate towards those who are no longer guided by Gospel values, saying, “As seminarians, you should have the heart of compassion that can enable you to bring those who have lost their way to Christ.”

“As we celebrate the Eucharist, we celebrate all the sacrament. When we preach the word of God our focus should be pastoral to look among our people who are weak,” the South Sudanese Bishop said, and added, “Christ doesn’t like anybody to get lost, even the sinners.”

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The 51-year-old Catholic Bishop went on to underscore the primary duty of members of the Clergy as that of “winning souls for God” and challenged Major Seminarians in South Sudan to have this duty as their focus.

“You should be able to identify the sheep you are leading, especially those who are weak,” Bishop Lodiong who started his Episcopal Ministry on May 15 said, adding, “Showing compassion to those who are sinful will help them to repent and be saved.”

In his maiden speech as the Local Ordinary of Yei, Bishop Lodiong said that his ministry as Bishop would be defined by “simplicity and work”, and called for collaboration among the people of God in the South Sudanese Diocese. 

“I don’t want to see these unnecessary protocols. I want the protocol of simplicity and work. The more we do our work in humility, simplicity and correctly, the more our church will succeed,” Bishop Lodiong said during the May 15 event at Christ The King Cathedral of Yei Diocese

He emphasized during the Eucharistic celebration that was presided over by Gabriel Cardinal Zubeir Wako, “The protocol doesn’t make things succeed. That's why I have chosen my motto of Episcopal ministry ‘be rich in good work.’”

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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.