By Baraka John
The Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY) has officially unveiled a commemorative portrait of the late Bishop Joseph Abangite Gasi, honoring one of the South Sudan’s most influential religious leaders and peacemakers.
The unveiling ceremony, held on Saturday at the 11th Anniversary feast of the late Bishop at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Yambio, where hundreds of faithful, local leaders, government officials, and members of civil society gathered to celebrate.
The portrait a dignified representation of Bishop Gasi in his episcopal attire was revealed during a solemn Mass and will be permanently displayed in the cathedral as a tribute to his spiritual and humanitarian legacy.
Bishop Gasi, who served as the bishop of CDTY from 1974 until his retirement in 2008, is remembered for his unwavering commitment to peace, reconciliation, and unity during some of the most challenging periods in South Sudan’s history.
During the official unveiling of the portrait of the late Bishop Joseph Gasi, Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala called the moment a “holy moment in history” as the Church marked what would have been Bishop Gasi’s 95th birthday.
Reading from Bishop Gasi’s own quotes and teachings, Bishop Hiiboro described him as a man of honesty, integrity, and truth virtues.
“There is no peace without honesty; lies are the seeds of war,” Bishop Hiiboro quoted Gasi, emphasizing the late bishop’s firm belief in truth as the foundation of unity and reconciliation.
He shared Gasi’s powerful words directed at various groups:
To seminarians: “You have come for the altar.”
To couples: “Marriage is not built on beauty but on truth.”
To priests: “God chose you not for privilege, but for sacrifice.”
On ethnicity: “We are one family; division is sin.”
On leadership: “Tradition must be led with honesty.”
Bishop Hiiboro urged the faithful to honor Bishop Gasi’s legacy by going beyond divisions and embracing unity within the diocese and the nation.
The event comes at a time when parts of Western Equatoria, including Tombura County, continue to face instability and communal tension. Many see the unveiling of Bishop Gasi’s portrait as a timely call for peace and unity.
Bishop Joseph Gasi was born in 1928 and ordained as a priest in 1957. He became bishop in 1974 and led the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio for over three decades. His tenure coincided with some of the most turbulent times in South Sudan’s journey toward peace and independence. He passed away in 2014, but his legacy remains deeply rooted in the lives of many across the country.
