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CV NEWS FEED // Thousands of Christians gathered May 11 in the Bentiu Diocese, which is in South Sudan’s Unity State, to celebrate the centennial of the area’s first Catholic mission.
Archbishop Seamus Patrick Horgan, the Vatican’s ambassador to South Sudan, celebrated Sunday Mass at Yoanyang Cathedral for the event, according to Radio Tamazu.
South Sudan’s Vice President for Infrastructure, Taban Deng Gai, addressed those present.
“President Salva Kiir has declared that our remaining war is the war of development — building roads, schools, and hospitals,” Gai said. “This is a fight we must all join. We must combat corruption, allocate resources wisely, and improve lives through infrastructure and services.”
Riek Bim Top, the governor of Unity State, praised the church for its contributions in education, health care, and building peace.
“The Bentiu Diocese has been an essential partner in fostering social development and reconciliation,” Top said. “As a government, we remain committed to working with the church to serve our people.”
The first local Catholic mission was established in 1925 in Yoanyang village, Rubkona County, Radio Tamazuj adds. In 2024, Pope Francis elevated the Bentiu community, which had been part of the Diocese of Malakal, to its own diocese.
