(TORIT) – The Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan, Archbishop Seán Patrick Horgan, ordained three priests and four deacons on Friday at Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Loa, located in the Western Deanery of the Catholic Diocese of Torit in Eastern Equatoria.
During the ordination ceremony, Archbishop Horgan called on the newly ordained clergy to reject worldly temptations and dedicate themselves fully to serving God and the people of South Sudan. He reminded them that their role is to lead the faithful, preach the Gospel with understanding, and live lives that reflect Christian values.
“My dear priests and deacons, we ordain you for a mission to lead the people of God. You are meant to be signposts pointing to divine reality. Know the Gospel, for we cannot preach what we do not understand. Do not blemish the people by how you live. Do not disfigure them by becoming worldly men grasping for money. Your first duty is to represent Christians to God,” Archbishop Horgan said.
He encouraged the clergy to persevere despite the challenges they may face in their ministry.
“Do not lose hope in your vocation. Your journey will be tempered by life’s difficulties. But do not lose sight of your mission. Take it seriously, for it is the mission of Christ.”
The ordination ceremony drew hundreds of faithful from the Western, Eastern, and Central Deaneries of the Diocese of Torit. Pilgrims also travelled from the Archdiocese of Juba and refugee camps in Uganda’s Adjumani District. Several national and state government officials were present to witness the event.
Eastern Equatoria State Governor Hon. Louis Lobong Lojore addressed the gathering, urging the newly ordained to promote unity and reconciliation among South Sudanese communities. He highlighted the Catholic Church’s role as a beacon of hope in South Sudan, praising its work in education, healthcare, humanitarian relief, and peacebuilding.
“The Catholic Church in South Sudan has stood as a beacon of hope advocating for peace, justice, and reconciliation. The Church has been there in moments of joy and trials, feeding the hungry, educating the youth, healing the sick, and guiding the faithful. This ordination is a celebration that shows God is still raising leaders who will guide us morally and spiritually,” Governor Lobong said.
The governor also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with the Catholic Church in efforts to foster peace, unity, and development across Eastern Equatoria.
Nuncio Horgan Ordains Priests and Deacons in Loa
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Ordination of three priests and four deacons |
| Location | Our Lady of Assumption Parish, Loa, Western Deanery, Diocese of Torit, Eastern Equatoria |
| Presiding | Archbishop Seán Patrick Horgan, Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan |
| Attendance | Hundreds of faithful from Torit Deaneries, pilgrims from Juba and Adjumani (Uganda), national and state officials |
| Key Messages | Dedication to God, moral leadership, rejection of worldly desires, perseverance |
| Government Involvement | Governor Louis Lobong Lojore encouraged unity and partnership with the Church |
| Church Role Highlighted | Peacebuilding, education, healthcare, humanitarian relief, guidance of faithful |
