Message from Bishop Carlassare to the people of Rumbek and Bentiu:
Leiku Nhialic
A puɔth kɛ Kuoth
I write this brief message to express my gratitude to the Holy Father Pope Francis for the erection of the Diocese of Bentiu, embracing Lakes State and Rueng Administrative Area. It is a great blessing from God not only for the people of Bentiu but for the all Church.
I am grateful for so many people that witnessed the faith: missionaries, catechists and lay pastoral agents, and priests who worked in this pastoral area and are now working there. I also commend the commitment of Rt. Rev. Stephen Nyodho, Bishop of Malakal, that opened and accomplished the process for the erection of this new Diocese. Among the priest Fr. William Bol as the episcopal vicar. Mabruk!
I encourage the local community to praise the Lord, to listen to his word and live an authentic Christian life. May the elders inspire the younger generations with their wisdom and uprightness. May the adults form truly Christian families and build a peaceful society. May the youth answer generously to the Lord’s call and live their vocation at the service of the entire community.
I am in debt with the Lord for all his goodness to me. I am in debt with all the people of South Sudan, and now most of all with you among whom God has called me to serve as a Shepherd. He picked me from Rumbek – May God bless the people of Rumbek Diocese as they cry – and brought me to you. I am happy to join your faith journey and your commitment to build a Church that may be witness of reconciliation, peace and unity.
My episcopal motto is You are all One in Christ.
Week ëbën wek aa tök, wek cï mat kek Jethu. Yɛn diaal lapɛ kɛl rɛy Kritho Yethu.
Let’s all be One in Christ. Let’s overcome every division. Let’s build a peaceful and fraternal society in Greater Bentiu and in South Sudan.
You please keep me in your prayers and your brothers and sisters of Rumbek as well. May the Lord, for the intercession of St Daniel Comboni and St Josephine Bakhita, continue to bestow his blessings upon the newly erected Diocese of Bentiu. See you soon in Bentiu.
Sincerely Yours in Christ Jesus,
+ Christian Carlassare, mccj
Bishop Christian Carlassare, mccj has been tasked with a tremendous opportunity, leading a newly erected diocese in Bentiu, South Sudan.
The erection of the new Episcopal See, the eighth in the world’s newest nation, was made public by the Holy See Press office on Wednesday, July 3.
Carved out from the Catholic Diocese of Malakal, the Diocese of Bentiu will become a suffragan Diocese of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba, the only Metropolitan See in the country which gained independence from Sudan in July 2011.
According to the Vatican’s July report, the diocese is 37,836 square kilometers and has a population of 1,131,886, of which 621,643 are Catholic faithful. The new diocese will start off with seven parishes, seven diocesan priests, four religious priests, 10 major seminarians, and two male religious institutes.
On August 11, 2024, Bishop Carlassare’s installation will take place in Bentiu. Festivities will begin with his reception at Juba International Airport on August 6, followed by a procession to the Comboni House.
He will meet with various groups and celebrate a Holy Mass in Juba on August 7 before heading to Bentiu. The installation Mass on August 11 will be led by Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla.
Bishop Carlassare, the pioneer Bishop of the new diocese, will continue shepherding the people of God in Rumbek Diocese as Apostolic Administrator.
Pope Francis appointed him Bishop for Rumbek Diocese in March 2021. His Episcopal Consecration that had been initially scheduled for Pentecost Sunday that year was postponed indefinitely after he was shot in both legs on April 26, 2021.
His ordination in Rumbek was finally able to take place on March 25, 2022, the Feast of the Annuciation.
In a letter to the people of God in Rumbek Diocese shortly after his transfer and appointment as pioneer bishop of South Sudan’s Catholic Diocese of Bentiu was made public, Bishop Christian Carlassare encouraged the people, who have been under his pastoral care, to accompany the Vatican in prayer and discernment as they await a new bishop, allowing “the spirit of God to work.”
Join us in celebrating and praying for Bishop Carlassare and the new Diocese of Bentiu.
