By Sr. Laurencila Akinyi, FSSA.
The Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio has extended heartfelt congratulations to the Episcopal Church of South Sudan on its historic 50th Jubilee celebration in Yambio, September 9, 2026, presenting a symbolic bicycle as gift representing the balance, unity, and collaborative effort required for the Church’s ongoing mission.
Bishop Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, unable to attend the celebration due to national duties in Juba, sent a congratulatory message expressing deep affection and solidarity with Archbishop Samuel Peni Enossa and the Episcopal Church community. Fr. Emmanuel Bie, the Bishop’s Personal Assistant, represented the Catholic Diocese at the joyful celebration.
Bishop Hiiboro praised the Episcopal Church’s five decades of faithful service and contribution to Yambio community. “This Church has been a cradle of faith, education, civilization, enlightenment, development and service to our people. We give glory to God for the witness and contribution of the Church over these fifty years,” the Bishop stated.
The message acknowledged the historical significance of the jubilee as milestone marking substantial institutional presence and pastoral influence in Western Equatoria State’s capital.
The Diocese presented a bicycle as symbol of Christian unity and collaborative mission. Bishop Hiiboro explained the symbolism: “A bicycle moves through the effort of the person riding it; every part has its purpose, and above all, it requires balance to move forward.”
The gift’s metaphorical significance suggests that the Church’s forward movement depends on coordinated effort of all members, each playing essential role, while maintaining spiritual and institutional balance centered in Christ.
Bishop Hiiboro acknowledged the succession of faithful episcopal leadership that established and sustained the Episcopal Church in Yambio. “These fifty years are a testimony to the balance, faith and perseverance handed down by our great fathers in faith: Bishop Yeremai Datiro, Bishop Daniel Zindo, Archbishop Peter Munde Yacob, and now you, Archbishop Samuel Peni Enossa,” he wrote.
He also noted that the Church’s growth has produced new vocations and leaders, including Bishop Andrew Mbugo, Bishop Wilson, Archbishop Peter Anibati of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Bishop Nathan Yepeta of the CEEC—demonstrating the Episcopal Church’s contribution to developing pastoral leadership across Western Equatoria.
Bishop Hiiboro characterized jubilees as occasions transcending mere celebration of past achievements. “A Jubilee is not only a celebration of the past; it is also a time of renewal, reflection and discernment for the future,” he stated, calling the church community to use the milestone as opportunity for spiritual recommitment and visionary planning.
The message emphasized the Catholic Diocese’s commitment to strengthened ecumenical collaboration with the Episcopal Church. “Let us therefore continue to pray, remain united and strengthen our collaboration in serving God and our people,” Bishop Hiiboro urged.
His concluding prayer expressed hope that the jubilee “open a new chapter of deeper communion, collaboration, peace and service” between the two churches, suggesting that the 50th anniversary provides occasion for intensified cooperative work addressing community needs.
The Catholic Diocese’s formal recognition of the Episcopal Church’s jubilee demonstrates ecumenical commitment and fraternal respect among different Christian traditions in Western Equatoria State. By attending through representation and offering symbolic gift, the Diocese affirmed the Episcopal Church’s legitimacy and valued contribution to Yambio’s spiritual and social life.
The message’s tone of genuine affection and solidarity—referring to “fraternal love, prayers and solidarity”—illustrates relationships of mutual respect and collaboration that characterize contemporary ecumenical relationships in South Sudan’s religiously diverse context.
The Episcopal Church of South Sudan has served Yambio for fifty years, establishing educational institutions, providing pastoral ministry, and contributing to community development. The church’s jubilee celebration marks not only institutional survival through difficult periods including prolonged conflict but also demonstrated commitment to faith, education, and service during challenging circumstances.
Similarly, the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio and other Christian communities in Western Equatoria have persisted in mission despite post-conflict challenges, displacement, and limited resources—making the jubilee celebrations testimonies to Christian perseverance and faithfulness.
As the Episcopal Church celebrates its golden jubilee, Bishop Hiiboro’s message positions the celebration as beginning of new era rather than conclusion of historical chapter. By calling for renewed collaboration, deeper communion, and shared commitment to peace and service, the Bishop invites the Episcopal Church to translate fifty years of experience into fresh commitments addressing contemporary challenges.
The bicycle metaphor suggests that the Church’s next fifty years—like its first—will require balanced movement, coordinated effort, and spiritual centering as Christian communities address South Sudan’s ongoing needs for peace, reconciliation, education, and development.
The Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio’s formal recognition and symbolic gift for the Episcopal Church’s 50th Jubilee demonstrate Christian unity and collaborative spirit characterizing interfaith relationships in Western Equatoria State.
Bishop Hiiboro’s message honors past faithful leadership while calling the Episcopal Church community toward renewed vision and deepened ecumenical collaboration. The bicycle gift—moving through coordinated effort while maintaining balance—captures the understanding that the Church’s mission requires all members working together, centered in Christ, moving forward toward shared vision of peace and justice.
As Archbishop Samuel Peni Enossa and the Episcopal Church of South Sudan celebrate this historic milestone, they do so with affirmation and solidarity from Catholic and other Christian communities in Yambio—a testament to the spiritual bonds and common mission uniting diverse Christian traditions in service to God’s kingdom.
