By Sr. Laurencila Akinyi, FSSA.
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, the Most Reverend Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, has issued a consolation message to the seminary community following the death of Maurice Patrick Girisi, a seminarian at St. John Paul II Institute of Philosophy Major Seminary in Yabongo, who passed away last Saturday.
In his pastoral letter dated July 9, 2026, Bishop Hiiboro extended deep sympathy and spiritual closeness to the entire seminary community, including Maurice’s family, classmates, friends, and all who knew and loved the young man who had dedicated himself to priestly formation.
The Bishop’s message acknowledged the particular pain of losing a young seminarian whose life was oriented toward service to the Church through ordained priesthood. Maurice Patrick Girisi’s death represents an interruption of a journey that he had generously begun in response to God’s call to religious life and ministry.
Spiritual Perspective on Loss and Hope
Bishop Hiiboro offered spiritual perspective rooted in Christian faith, reminding the seminary community that as Christians, grief is tempered by hope and belief in eternal life. He cited St. Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, noting that Christians do not grieve “as those who have no hope,” affirming Christian conviction that death is not an end but a transition into eternal communion with God.
The Bishop emphasized that while God’s plans often remain mysterious, His love never fails. He affirmed that Maurice’s vocation, though cut short on earth, is now fulfilled in God’s eternal kingdom where the Divine Master “brings every vocation to its perfect fulfillment.”
Affirmation of Seminarian’s Life and Witness
Rather than focusing solely on the tragedy of premature death, Bishop Hiiboro affirmed the meaning and value of Maurice’s time in seminary formation. He noted that every prayer Maurice offered, every lesson he learned, every act of fraternity he shared, and every sacrifice he embraced in response to God’s call remains precious in the eyes of the Lord.
The Bishop’s affirmation recognizes that human worth and spiritual achievement are not measured solely by longevity or the completion of formal formation but by faithfulness to God’s call, however long that faithfulness may be lived.
Message to Seminarians: Perseverance and Purpose
Addressing the seminarian community directly, Bishop Hiiboro urged them not to allow this loss to weaken their vocations. Instead, he encouraged them to allow Maurice’s death to remind them of life’s fragility, the sacredness of their calling, and the importance of living each day with holiness, generosity, and fidelity.
The Bishop challenged seminarians to continue their formation with renewed zeal, clarifying that the ultimate goal of priestly vocation is not simply ordination but eternal communion with God. This reframing helps seminarians understand that their formation serves a spiritual purpose that transcends earthly ministerial achievement.
Recognition of Seminary Leadership and Staff
Bishop Hiiboro expressed gratitude to Reverend Father Natale Vairi, the seminary rector, formators, and staff members for their dedicated service and fatherly care of seminarians. He recognized that at this difficult moment, their presence, wisdom, and faith are invaluable in accompanying seminarians with hope and compassion during grief and loss.
His recognition affirms the crucial role of seminary leadership and spiritual directors in supporting seminarians through difficulties and crises while maintaining their commitment to priestly formation.
Invocation of Spiritual Support
The Bishop called the seminary community to remain united in prayer, invoking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, to accompany Maurice into the heavenly kingdom and comfort all who mourn. He also invoked St. John Paul II, the seminary’s patron saint, to intercede for each seminarian, obtaining grace for joyful perseverance in their vocations.
The prayers and invocations reflect Catholic tradition of seeking intercession of saints and Mary in times of loss and bereavement.
Prayer for the Deceased
The Bishop concluded with traditional Latin prayer for the deceased: “Eternal rest grant unto Maurice Patrick Girisi, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
This ancient prayer, used in Catholic funeral liturgies for centuries, places Maurice’s soul in God’s hands while asking divine mercy and rest for all deceased faithful.
Context and Significance
Maurice Patrick Girisi’s death represents a significant loss to the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio during a critical period when the diocese is building its capacity for priestly ministry. The training of seminarians at St. John Paul II Institute of Philosophy is essential to the Church’s future mission in Western Equatoria State.
Deaths of young seminarians raise profound theological and pastoral questions about God’s will, vocation, and the meaning of life cut short. Bishop Hiiboro’s pastoral response addresses these questions with both honesty about grief and affirmation of Christian hope.
Seminary’s Role in Church Mission
St. John Paul II Institute of Philosophy Major Seminary in Yabongo serves as a vital formation center for the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio. The seminary prepares men for ordained priesthood through rigorous academic, spiritual, and pastoral formation spanning multiple years.
Seminarians at the institute engage in philosophical and theological study, spiritual discipline, community living, and pastoral preparation to become effective priests capable of serving the People of God. The loss of a seminarian represents loss not only to his family but also to the Church’s future ministry.
Support Systems During Grief
The Bishop’s message creates space for the seminary community to grieve while maintaining faith and spiritual perspective. The combination of acknowledging grief’s legitimacy while offering spiritual hope provides balanced pastoral response that honors both human emotion and divine comfort.
Seminary formators and leadership will likely organize special prayers, counseling support, and opportunities for seminarians to process their grief together as a community.
Broader Implications for Seminary Formation
Maurice’s death raises awareness within the seminary community of life’s fragility and the importance of approaching formation with seriousness and commitment. For seminarians who knew him, his death personalizes the reality that vocation is not merely an intellectual or professional commitment but a spiritual surrender with eternal significance.
Paternal Blessing and Pastoral Presence
Bishop Hiiboro concluded his message with paternal blessing and assurance of his prayers. The pastoral letter demonstrates the Bishop’s personal engagement with seminary life and his commitment to accompanying seminarians through both joyful and sorrowful experiences.
Moving Forward
As the seminary community grieves Maurice’s death, they will be sustained by faith in eternal life, mutual support within the community, and the spiritual resources of the Catholic Church. Memorial services and prayers will likely be organized to honor Maurice’s memory and support his grieving family.
The seminary will continue its mission of forming priests while remaining mindful of the loss and grief experienced by the community. Future cohorts of seminarians will carry Maurice’s memory as a reminder of vocation’s sacred nature and the importance of responding generously to God’s call.
Message of Hope
Despite the profound sadness of losing a young man with so much potential for ministry, Bishop Hiiboro’s pastoral message ultimately conveys hope grounded in Christian faith. Maurice’s earthly journey may have been brief, but his soul is entrusted to God’s mercy and eternal care.
The Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio and the entire seminary community at St. John Paul II Institute extend their deepest condolences to Maurice Patrick Girisi’s family and assure them of their prayers and spiritual solidarity during this time of grief.
May perpetual light shine upon him, and may his memory inspire others to faithfulness in their own callings and commitment to serving God and His Church.
