South Sudan: First Comboni from Rumbek diocese ordained priest

A huge crowd took part in the festive Eucharist to witness such a great day for their church and foe the Comboni Family. More than ten Comboni missionaries, priests and brothers, and members of other religious congregations working in the diocese also attended the celebration to support their new shepherds.

Bishop Carlassare also ordained local deacons Angelo Chirit and John Majak to the priesthood. Seminarian Abraham Col received the order of deacons on the same ordination ceremony.

“Do not build barriers around your priesthood. You are being ordained from the people and for the people. Your priesthood must have a human face”, the bishop urged the ordinands during his homily.

This ordination marks a historic milestone. For the first time, a native from Romic Parish of the Diocese of Rumbek, Fr. Santino, was ordained a Comboni missionary priest. He is the first Dinka from this diocese to join this missionary congregation and be sent to serve beyond its borders.

“The day has been so joyful with this new experience. Being a priest now, being a South Sudanese, and being from this diocese as the first Comboni missionary in the history, because there is no one [who] has ever been ordained from the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek as a Comboni missionary”, said Fr. Santino.

“It makes me to be very excited – he added – also sharing this joy with the community of the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek.”

The Diocese of Rumbek now has 14 local priests and one deacon.

Fr. Santino will become 36 at the end of the month. He concluded his theological formation in South Africa and did his mission service in his home country. He was assigned to Chad where he will live out the first fruits of his missionary priesthood.

Father Majambo Lutumba Placide Petit, MCCJ