By Joseph Ernesto Chekaya
In a breathtaking demonstration of penitence, unity, and deep faith, more than ten thousand Catholic faithful converged in the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio to solemnly mark the Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday. The Way of the Cross procession began at St. Josephine Bakhita Parish and reverently made its way to St. Mary’s Cathedral.
Dressed in black garments as a sign of mourning and sorrow, the faithful, young and old, men and women, walked barefoot under the heat of the day. With heads bowed, some carried crosses on their shoulders, others held rosaries tightly in their hands. The silence was only broken by the rhythm of sorrowful hymns and prayers echoing through the air, each word soaked in tears and longing for redemption.
This year’s theme, “Praying for Peace,” resonated deeply with the faithful. Many could be seen weeping as they meditated on the suffering Christ, relating His agony to the wounds and struggles of their own communities. The barefooted steps became an offering of solidarity with the crucified Christ and a prayerful cry for peace in a land marred by conflict and hardship.
At the conclusion of the procession, His Lordship Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala addressed the faithful noting, “Let us learn from Jesus, who emptied Himself and took the form of a servant. Today, we too must be ready to humble ourselves, to carry one another’s burdens, and to be instruments of peace. The Cross is not merely a memory; it is our mission.”
The bishop called on Christians to imitate Christ’s example of humility, forgiveness, and sacrificial love.
