By Ernesto Chakaya
Thousands of faithful gathered at St. Mary Parish in Yambio as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, the Most Reverend Dr. Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, officially launched the Second National Lenten Campaign 2026, bringing together Christians from different parishes to pray, reflect, and renew their commitment during this holy season of Lent.
In his address to the congregation, Bishop Hiiboro called on the faithful to become true ambassadors of peace in their families, communities, and across the nation. He stressed the urgent need for reconciliation at a time when South Sudan continues to face profound challenges and persistent conflict. The Bishop emphasized that the path to national healing begins with individual conversion and commitment to peace at the most basic levels of society.
The Bishop also reminded Christians of their responsibility to care for the environment, emphasizing that the protection of creation is a duty entrusted to humanity by God. He urged the faithful to take practical steps such as planting trees, preventing environmental destruction, and promoting cleanliness within their communities. This call to environmental stewardship reflects a growing recognition within the Church of the connection between ecological care and human wellbeing, particularly in communities that depend directly on the land for their livelihoods.
Bishop Hiiboro further encouraged continuous prayer for peace and for a lasting end to conflict in South Sudan, calling on believers to remain united, hopeful, and steadfast in their trust in God. He described prayer as a powerful weapon in the struggle for peace, one that sustains communities even in the midst of great difficulty and uncertainty.
In his conclusion, the Bishop appealed for solidarity with those in need, inviting the faithful to support vulnerable members of society through acts of charity and generosity. He encouraged contributions to the Bishop’s Conference as part of the Lenten campaign, describing such support as a concrete expression of conversion and Christian responsibility. The Bishop emphasized that faith without action remains incomplete and that the Lenten season calls believers to translate their spiritual renewal into tangible support for the poor, the displaced, and the marginalized.
The launch of the Second National Lenten Campaign represents a coordinated effort by the Catholic Church in South Sudan to mobilize believers across the country in a common mission of spiritual renewal, social reconciliation, and practical solidarity. In the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, the campaign aligns with the diocesan Lenten program under the motto “Return to the Lord and Live in Peace,” which encompasses a comprehensive range of spiritual practices, social initiatives, and peacebuilding activities.
The event concluded with prayers for peace, unity, and renewed faith among all the people. The large turnout at St. Mary Parish demonstrated the continued vitality of Catholic faith in Western Equatoria and the willingness of believers to embrace the Church’s call for conversion and commitment during this sacred season. As South Sudan continues its difficult journey toward lasting peace and stability, initiatives like the National Lenten Campaign provide communities with hope, spiritual strength, and practical pathways for contributing to the healing and transformation of the nation.
