By Bida Elly David
South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Sunday pledged a sum of $50,000 (fifty thousand United States Dollars) to the Catholic Archdiocese of Yei to aid and facilitate church activities.
This development came following the consecration of Alex Lodiong from being the Bishop elect into full confirmation into Bishopric by His Holiness Pope Francis of the Universal Catholic Church.
Speaking on behalf of the President, Josephine Napwon, and the National Minister of Environment said that the donation made by the President would be a start-up for Bishop Lodiong’s move as he starts his apostolic duties serving the people of God.
“The President of the Republic of South Sudan has tasked me to come and represent him in this occasion. He has donated the sum of $50,000 for running the activities of the newly established Bishopric body that is subjected to building the church,” Josephine quoted.
President Kiir admonished the new Bishopric to consider peace and healing programs and awareness as first priorities to ensure return of the people who fled the country due to war as well as restore the lost development.
“I need Bishop Alex in collaboration with the faithful to work towards restoring the lost hope among the people of Yei River County and more especially areas surrounded by the church and the community,” she said.
“President Kiir said that his government has remained committed towards supporting the citizens and the religions in Yei especially the Catholic that falls under Christian denomination” Napwon continued with the President’s message.
Napwon said the President called on the community leaders, churches and the government to protect the citizens of Yei River County against their enemies and uncertain predicaments to enable peace and development prevail in the County.
“Kiir added that Yei in the past used to be a centre for everybody but those against its progress continued intimidating the situation” she added.
However, the President appreciated the delegates from different Catholic Dioceses in South Sudan and other denominations for having worked hard on the consecration and the installation processes of the new Bishop and commended the efforts invested by Bishop Emeritus Erkulano Ladu Tombe, the predecessor of the latter amid administering the Catholic Archdiocese of Yei until his retirement.