By Sr. Laurencila Akinyi, FSSA
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, the Most Reverend Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, has extended heartfelt congratulations and prayerful best wishes to His Lordship Bishop Mathew Remijio Adam of the Diocese of Wau on the occasion of his birthday.
In a message of fraternal love and prayers, Bishop Hiiboro thanked God for the gift of Bishop Adam’s life, vocation, and episcopal ministry. He also expressed gratitude for the bishop’s parents and family who generously offered him to the service of God and His Holy Church.
Bishop Hiiboro highlighted the special historical and spiritual bond between the two dioceses, describing Wau as truly the grandmother in faith for Tombura-Yambio. He recalled that from the Diocese of Wau, the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio was born, first as the Vicariate of Mupoi in 1949 and later established as a diocese in 1974. He emphasized that the two dioceses remain deeply united in faith, history, and mission.
Assuring Bishop Adam of continued prayers and fraternal affection, Bishop Hiiboro offered a beautiful prayer that his brother bishop may, like his patron Saint Matthew, continue to write the works of God faithfully through his life and ministry. He prayed that Bishop Adam’s episcopal service be like writing on rock—clear, enduring, and fruitful for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
Through the intercession of Saint Matthew, the Apostle, Bishop Hiiboro asked the Lord to continue blessing Bishop Adam with good health, wisdom, strength, and abundant grace.
The birthday message reflects the deep bonds of fraternity that unite Catholic bishops, particularly those whose dioceses share historical connections. The recognition of Wau Diocese as the mother church of Tombura-Yambio acknowledges the missionary heritage of the Catholic Church in South Sudan, where newer dioceses were carved out of established ones as the Church grew and spread across the country.
Saint Matthew, the patron saint of Bishop Adam, was one of the twelve Apostles and the author of the first Gospel. As a tax collector who became a faithful follower of Christ, Matthew represents the transformative power of God’s call and the importance of faithfully recording and proclaiming the works of God—a fitting patronage for a bishop whose ministry involves teaching, preaching, and bearing witness to the Gospel.
The Catholic community in both dioceses joins in wishing Bishop Mathew Remijio Adam a blessed birthday and many more years of fruitful episcopal ministry in service of God’s people in Wau and throughout South Sudan.
