By Sr. Laurencila, FSSA
Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala has issued a heartfelt pastoral letter calling for forgiveness, reconciliation, and sustained peacebuilding efforts following a demanding 10-day pastoral mission to the Western Deanery of Tombura.
The mission, which covered 16 parishes across Yambio, Nzara, Ezo, and Tombura, saw the Bishop traverse difficult terrain—enduring eight punctures and three major vehicle breakdowns—to reach communities still recovering from over five years of conflict and displacement.
A Journey of Faith and Resilience
In his pastoral message released upon returning to Yambio, Bishop Hiiboro described the mission as “a pilgrimage of the heart, into the wounds, faith, endurance, and hope of God’s people.”
Throughout the journey, he celebrated Mass, administered sacraments, blessed families and institutions, and witnessed firsthand the profound resilience of communities rebuilding their lives amid hardship.
“You impressed me profoundly with your love, your relationships, your generosity, and your joy even amid pain,” the Bishop said, addressing the people of Tombura directly. “There is an inner spiritual strength within you that has kept you standing. Let it now become the foundation of peace.”
Urgent Appeal for Rii-Yubu Refugees
Bishop Hiiboro expressed deep concern over the plight of more than 4,000 refugees—many of them unaccompanied children, women, and elderly persons—sheltering in Rii-Yubu under distressing conditions. The refugees have fled violence in the Central African Republic, while others are returnees escaping similar brutality.
“This situation demands immediate, coordinated, and humane intervention,” the Bishop stated, appealing to government authorities, humanitarian agencies, NGOs, the Church, and the international community to respond urgently.
Gratitude to Greek Heart Doctors
The Bishop expressed profound gratitude to a medical team from Greece, the Heart Doctors, who accompanied the mission and provided free cardiac care across Yambio, Nzara, Ezo, Banduguyo, Rii-Yubu, Ave Maria Ngboko, and Tombura.
“You came from far away, crossing borders and cultures, not for gain, but out of love for humanity,” Bishop Hiiboro said. “Your presence spoke louder than words. You showed that compassion has no nationality and that love is the universal language of peace.”
He also thanked Mr. Andrew Ndugene for coordinating the medical outreach.
Call to Leaders and Returning Citizens
Bishop Hiiboro urged the people of Tombura to embrace returning displaced persons without resentment, calling on government authorities to receive them with dignity and support their reintegration.
He also challenged intellectuals, professionals, and political leaders to prioritize the welfare of their communities in 2026.
“History will remember whether you chose personal interest or the suffering community,” he said.
Acknowledgments
The Bishop thanked the Diocesan Curia staff, the Western Equatoria State Government for fuel support, CMMB and St. Theresa Mission Hospital for providing vehicles, parish priests, religious sisters, catechists, county governments, and security forces for their cooperation during the mission.
“This pastoral mission has confirmed one unshakable truth: everything we do from now on must center on peace,” Bishop Hiiboro concluded. “May Christ, our Peace, heal every wound.”
