The motto given by Bishop Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala “Bible in one hand and hoe in the other” is no longer just an inspiring phrase in the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio. It is becoming a lived reality, as priests commit themselves to both spiritual nourishment and practical development in their parishes.
One shining example is Father Wasi Benjamin, parish priest of Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, Diobio, who has turned the parish land into a farm of blessing and hope. Implementing the motto “Bible in one hand and hoe in the other” has yielded a bountiful harvest of 27 sacks of groundnuts for his parish, a true sign of God’s blessing upon their parish community.
Speaking joyfully at the sight of the bounty, Fr. Wasi said: “This is a countless blessing of God upon the work of the hands of men. With this harvest, our parish will not experience hunger in 2026.” But the groundnuts are just the beginning. Determined to continue implementing the bishop’s vision, Fr. Wasi has also planted sorghum, millet, bananas, tomatoes, and other crops. With every seed sown, he is creating an environment where his parishioners will not only pray with the Bible but also eat from the fruits of their labor.
Tomatoes gardenThrough his witness, Fr. Wasi is teaching Christians that faith must go hand in hand with work. The Bible strengthens their spirit, while the hoe provides food for their tables. Prayer alone is not enough, it must be accompanied by action, so that families can both live their faith and enjoy the blessings of the earth.
Fr. Wasi expressed deep gratitude to Bishop Hiiboro for his encouragement, saying the motto has given priests and the faithful a clear path of hope: to combine faith and work for the flourishing of their communities. He explained that the motto from their prelate shows the Church’s mission is truly holistic to feed souls with the Word of God while also ensuring that families have food on their tables. By living this out in his parish, Fr. Wasi demonstrates how the diocesan motto comes alive in practice, proving that when faith and action go hand in hand, hunger gives way to abundance
