By Sr. Laurencila Akinyi, FSSA.
Reverend Deacon Tipoi Mark, a son of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio who was recently ordained to the Diaconate in Italy, has written a heartfelt letter of thanksgiving and filial gratitude to Bishop Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, expressing profound appreciation for his formation and the Bishop’s visionary leadership in sending seminarians to serve the Universal Church.
In a letter dated May 7, 2026, from Canelli, Italy, Deacon Tipoi described his Ordination alongside his brother Deacon Mboriidie Simon as a moment of great joy, saying that Bishop Hiiboro’s words of blessing have been a great consolation and a renewed call to fidelity.
Deacon Tipoi, who was Born and started his Primary Education at Naakiri in Yambio before finishing at Nakpangau Primary School in 2011, traced his entire faith journey within the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio. He was baptized by the late Reverend Father Justin Miskini on December 17, 2000, at Riboirlo Chapel, received his First Communion on December 25, 2007, from Reverend Father Peter Houdie at St. Bakhita Parish, and was confirmed by Bishop Hiiboro on August 7, 2011, at St. Mary Mother of God Cathedral. It was in the Diocese, he said, that he first heard the Lord’s call to priesthood.
Journey of Formation
Deacon Tipoi detailed his extensive formation journey, which began as a Minor Seminarian at St. Joseph Minor Seminary Nagero, where he studied at Bishop Abangite College of Science and Technology for four years from 2011 to 2014. He was then sent to St. John Paul II Orientation or Propaedeutic Seminary in Riimenze for one year in 2015.
After that, he attended St. John Paul II Institute of Philosophy in Yabongo, Yambio, for three years from 2016 to 2019, finishing his philosophical studies in Nairobi, Kenya, at Consolata Institute of Philosophy. He was then sent to Rome, Italy, for theological studies at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross and formation with Opus Dei for three years from 2019 to 2022.
Gratitude and Recognition
Deacon Tipoi declared that everything he is today, he owes to God and to his Diocese of origin, Tombura-Yambio, particularly to Bishop Hiiboro. He expressed thanks first to Almighty God for the grace of vocation, then to the Bishop for having accepted him from the beginning into the formation house of the diocese, for forming him through the minor and major seminaries, and for sending him to Rome for studies at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross and residence at the Opus Dei formation house.
Though he has now been incardinated into the Diocese of Acqui in Italy, Deacon Tipoi emphasized that the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio will always remain his diocese of origin, the Church that gave him birth in faith and nurtured his vocation. He expressed profound gratitude to Bishop Hiiboro for graciously accepting and permitting him to come to the Diocese of Acqui for the good of the Universal Church.
A Missionary Vision
Deacon Tipoi described Bishop Hiiboro’s vision and missionary openness as having made this path possible, receiving it as a grace far beyond his merit. He noted the historic significance of being the first seminarian from the major seminary in Yambio to walk this path and to be ordained for mission in the Diocese of Acqui under the pastoral care of His Excellency Bishop Luigi Testore, describing it as a sign of communion and fraternity between the local churches.
With the full knowledge, blessing, and paternal permission of Bishop Hiiboro, Deacon Tipoi said he has been entrusted into the hands of the Church of Acqui to serve Christ and His people there. He recognized in this the Bishop’s pastoral courage and desire that the diocese participate fully in the mission of the Universal Church.
Deacon Tipoi noted that he is not alone in this missionary endeavor, mentioning his knowledge of his brothers, Reverend Father Wenengbi Moses and Reverend Deacon Bangasu John serving in the Diocese of Malakal. He described them as missionaries and ambassadors from the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, reflecting what he called the great vision of Bishop Hiiboro, who is looking into the far future of the diocese.
Commitment to Service
Deacon Tipoi said he receives with obedience and love the charge Bishop Hiiboro gave him: to walk in humility, to serve with love, to keep the Lord Jesus Christ at the center, and to pray always. He makes it his resolution each day, acknowledging his fragility and entrusting himself to the Bishop’s prayers, guidance, and paternal correction, saying he remains the Bishop’s son.
Wherever the Lord sends him, Deacon Tipoi said he goes as an ambassador—first for Christ, then for His Holy Church, for the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio that formed him, for the Diocese of Acqui that receives him, and for his nation, South Sudan. His only desire is to walk in humility, serve with love, keep Jesus at the center, and pray always, as his Bishop charged him.
Request for Prayers
Deacon Tipoi thanked all the faithful of the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio for their prayers, sacrifices, and love that have carried him to this day. He humbly asked them to continue praying for him, especially as he prepares for his priestly ordination, which may take place after one year. He explained that the delay is due to complications of entering European countries, allowing time for his parents to process the necessary documents to attend his priestly ordination in Europe.
The newly ordained deacon assured Bishop Hiiboro of his daily prayers for the Bishop himself, for priests, religious sisters and brothers, deacons, catechists, seminarians, and for all the faithful of Tombura-Yambio. He humbly asked for the Bishop’s blessing that the Lord who has begun this good work in him may bring it to completion.
Significance of the Letter
Deacon Tipoi’s letter of gratitude highlights the missionary dimension of Bishop Hiiboro’s vision for the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio. By forming seminarians to a high standard and then allowing some to serve in other dioceses around the world, the Bishop is contributing to the Universal Church while also raising the profile and capacity of the local church.
The fact that Deacon Tipoi is the first seminarian from the major seminary in Yambio to be ordained for service in a European diocese marks a historic milestone, demonstrating that the Church in South Sudan, despite being relatively young and facing many challenges, is capable of producing priests who can serve anywhere in the world.
The extensive formation journey described by Deacon Tipoi, spanning multiple countries and prestigious institutions, reflects the diocese’s commitment to providing high-quality priestly formation that combines solid academic training with deep spiritual formation.
As the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio celebrates this milestone, the community looks forward to Deacon Tipoi’s priestly ordination next year and continues to pray for all seminarians currently in formation, both those who will serve in the home diocese and those who, like Deacon Tipoi, will bring the faith and spirit of Tombura-Yambio to the Universal Church around the world.
