The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, the Most Reverend Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, has issued a Labour Day message calling on all Catholics and South Sudanese to embrace honesty and reject laziness while working toward food sufficiency, marking the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, the Patron saint of the Diocese.
In his message dated May 1, 2026, Bishop Hiiboro extended warm greetings to all people of the Diocese and South Sudan, emphasizing that Labour Day reminds everyone of the dignity of work and the shared responsibility in building the Nation. He prayed that the Government continues to strengthen fair and just systems that ensure workers are treated with dignity and paid justly, so that services to the people may be effective, reliable, and life-giving.
The Bishop began with heartfelt thanksgiving to God for the gift of Life, Faith, and Mission in the Diocese. He expressed sincere gratitude to all who Serve the Church and Society, including Priests, Religious Men and Women, Catechists, Teachers, Health Workers, Students, Seminarians, Business People, Traditional Leaders, Public Servants, and Sons and Daughters in the Diaspora.
Embracing the Virtue of Honesty
Bishop Hiiboro explained why the Diocese looks to Saint Joseph as its Patron, Noting that, Scripture presents him as a faithful and honest Man. This year, he invited all to embrace one central virtue from Joseph’s life: honesty. He emphasized that honesty builds trust, strengthens families, purifies leadership, and lays the foundation for true development.
Quoting Proverbs, the Bishop said that whoever walks in integrity walks securely, stressing that in the Diocese’s fragile context of recovery and rebuilding, honesty is not optional but the foundation of peace, stability, and progress.
At the same time, Bishop Hiiboro clearly rejected laziness, describing it as a Cancer to life that destroys dignity and blocks progress. He called on all to overcome laziness with discipline, responsibility, and hard work, quoting Proverbs that the plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance.
Vision for Food Sufficiency
The Bishop reminded the faithful of a challenge he issued earlier in the year: that the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio becomes food sufficient. He described this not just as a goal but as a mission of dignity and survival, noting that God Himself entrusted humanity with work when He placed Man in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it.
Bishop Hiiboro called on every household to cultivate a Farm and every parish and institution to engage in production. He urged people to begin small but act with consistency and faith, repeating with conviction that Parish Priests must become Agricultural Extension Leaders in their Areas, inspiring the faithful to work and produce.
The Bishop emphasized that Parishes and Schools must be places of both Prayer and Productivity. He challenged people to rear livestock with passion, keep poultry with care, and farm with discipline and hope. Quoting Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, he said that whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it, and citing Samuel Smiles, he reminded all that heaven helps those who help themselves.
First Harvest Thanksgiving Planned
In a significant announcement, Bishop Hiiboro revealed that in November 2026, the diocese will celebrate its first Harvest Thanksgiving across all deaneries and vicariates. He described this as a historic moment to honor work, celebrate achievements, and thank God for the fruits of labor.
The Bishop announced that he will visit communities in August and looks forward to seeing their farms, efforts, and progress. He challenged all to let their work speak, their honesty shine, and their lives bear fruit.
Living Gospel Values
Bishop Hiiboro highlighted cherished expressions that define the identity of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio:
- “May they be one”
- “Let us dirty our hands”
- “Do a thousand things, but one percent better”
- “What can you do for peace”
- “Be passionate and committed to life”
- “On one hand the hoe, and on the other the Holy Bible”
He emphasized that these are not mere words but a way of life, the Gospel translated into action, shaping the diocese’s identity as a Church that prays, works, and transforms society. The guiding question “What can you do for peace?” remains alive among the community.
Gratitude and Encouragement
Bishop Hiiboro extended Special Gratitude to all Seminarians of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, Encouraging them to imitate Saint Joseph, pray through his Intercession, and grow as Disciplined, Prayerful, and Hardworking Future Servants of God. He also thanked Generous Donors and Benefactors whose Silent Sacrifice Sustains the Diocese’s Mission and Strengthens Hope.
The Bishop Concluded by asking Saint Joseph the Worker to intercede for the Diocese and Teach everyone Dignity in Work, Honesty in Life, and Faithfulness in Mission. He prayed that Unity be the Diocese’s Strength, Work be its Witness, and Honesty be its Foundation.
Significance of the Message
Bishop Hiiboro’s Labour Day Message reflects his Consistent Emphasis on Integral Human Development that combines Spiritual Formation with Practical work for economic self-sufficiency. His vision for Food Sufficiency Addresses one of the Most Critical Challenges Facing Western Equatoria State and South Sudan more broadly—Chronic Food Insecurity that forces Millions to Depend on Humanitarian Assistance.
By calling on parish priests to become agricultural extension leaders, the Bishop is leveraging the Church’s extensive presence across the Diocese to promote Agricultural Productivity at the grassroots level. With parishes in nearly every Community, this approach has potential to reach Thousands of Families with Agricultural Guidance and Encouragement.
The Emphasis on Honesty as the Central Virtue to be Drawn from Saint Joseph’s life speaks to Broader Concerns about Corruption, Mismanagement, and Lack of Accountability that Undermine Development Efforts across South Sudan. Bishop Hiiboro’s Message suggests that Technical Solutions to Food Insecurity and poverty will fail without Fundamental Moral Transformation.
The Announcement of the first Harvest Thanksgiving in November 2026 Creates a Concrete Goal toward which Communities can work and provides an opportunity for public celebration of Agricultural Achievements. This builds on African traditions of harvest festivals while giving them Christian meaning and Diocesan-Wide Coordination.
As the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio celebrates its patron saint and observes Labour Day, Bishop Hiiboro’s message provides both Spiritual Encouragement and Practical Direction, calling the faithful to honor God through honest, disciplined work that can transform individual lives, strengthen communities, and contribute to building a more prosperous and peaceful South Sudan.
