(Juba) – The Catholic Church in South Sudan has strongly condemned the killing of Fr. Luka Jumu, a priest from Sudan’s El Obeid Diocese, and his two companions, in the war affected city of El Fasher in Sudan’s Darfur region.
The attack took place on Friday, 13 June, and has drawn sharp condemnation from His Eminence Stephen Ameyu Martin Cardinal Mulla, Archbishop of Juba, who described the incident as “horrific” and a reflection of the ongoing dangers faced by religious personnel in Sudan.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SSSCBC), Cardinal Mulla said: “In spiritual solidarity and profound grief, we raise our voices to heaven and to the world to denounce the horrific killing of our beloved priest, Fr. Luka Jumu, and his two faithful companions.” He added, “Our hearts are heavy with grief yet filled with the hope of the Resurrection.”
Cardinal Mulla, quoting from the Gospel of John—”The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”—encouraged the faithful to remain hopeful even amidst violence and suffering. His words come as the Church continues to confront the worsening humanitarian and security crisis caused by Sudan’s civil conflict, which began in 2023.
Fr. Luka had been ministering to the poor and displaced in Darfur, a region known for long-standing violence. The Cardinal described him as a selfless servant who “lived for others, died as he lived” by supporting the vulnerable and offering spiritual comfort in one of Sudan’s most troubled regions. “His death is not an isolated case,” the Cardinal warned, “but part of a wider pattern of attacks against Church personnel and properties across Sudan.”
Since the outbreak of violence, Catholic institutions in Sudan have been severely affected. Seminaries have been looted, convents and parishes have been abandoned, and Church members have been forced to flee. The Cardinal noted that many faithful now live “scattered like sheep without a shepherd.”
Despite these challenges, he insisted that the Church will remain present. “The Church in Sudan will not flee, will not be silenced, and will not abandon its divine calling,” he said.
Cardinal Mulla also used the occasion to call on Sudan’s warring factions to end hostilities, particularly in civilian zones. “The blood of Fr. Luka cries out from the ground of Darfur, joining the voices of countless innocent Sudanese,” he said. “In the name of God, the Merciful, we call for an immediate halt to all military operations in civilian areas, especially near places of worship, hospitals, and humanitarian centres.”
The Cardinal condemned the targeting of religious personnel as a violation of international law and a betrayal of Sudan’s history of religious coexistence. He urged political leaders to choose peace and dialogue over destruction. “The weapons you wield today are destroying the very nation you claim to fight for,” he warned.
He also appealed to the global Church and international bodies such as the United Nations and African Union not to remain silent. “We ask the Church around the world to include Sudan’s martyrs in your prayers and offer material and spiritual support to our displaced faithful,” he said. “To world leaders, we say: do not look away.”
Fr. Luka’s death has been described by the Church as a form of martyrdom. Cardinal Mulla compared him to other African Christian martyrs, including those from Uganda and South Sudan, saying his sacrifice should inspire peace and reconciliation. “His blood does not cry out for vengeance, but for peace, conversion, and the triumph of love over hatred,” he said.
Referencing the Gospel of Matthew, Cardinal Mulla concluded: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”