SOUTH SUDAN: Cardinal Challenges New Priests to Promote Peace

(Photo Credit: The Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa [AMECEA])

By: Ginaba Lino

South Sudan’s Cardinal has challenged newly ordained priests to reflect on their priesthood, embrace obedience, and make their ministry a source of healing and transformation for communities affected by conflict and division. Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla made the call on Saturday, August 15, during the ordination of three new priests, urging them to remain faithful to Christ and understand priesthood as a vocation of service rather than a position of privilege or status.

He said the Church’s contribution to peace and reconciliation depends largely on the commitment of her clergy to serve faithfully and accompany the people entrusted to their care.“If these people today are still in war, it is because we clergymen have gone wrong,” Cardinal Ameyu said, challenging priests to examine whether they are faithfully carrying out the mission entrusted to them by Christ.

He urged the newly ordained priests to faithfully administer the sacraments, particularly the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which he described as an important instrument for renewing both priests and the people of God.The Cardinal said priests must become examples of forgiveness if they are to help communities overcome hatred, division and conflict.

“We have not administered the proper sacrament,” he said, emphasizing that priests have been given the responsibility and capacity to forgive as ministers of God’s mercy.

Cardinal Ameyu urged the new priests to baptize and confirm Christians, witness marriages and remain attentive to people in need of God’s mercy.

“What you have accepted today is a very difficult task,” he told the priests, stressing that their vocation requires perseverance, spiritual discipline and a close relationship with Jesus Christ.

He encouraged them to remain united with Jesus, the Church and their bishops, describing obedience in love as an essential foundation of priestly ministry.

“Without obedience there is no church. Without obedience there is no family. Without obedience there is no institution,” he said.

The Cardinal also challenged religious men and women to understand their vows as a call to become instruments of God’s salvation among His people, rather than commitments limited to their respective communities.

He placed humility at the centre of priestly formation, warning that priests cannot effectively serve the people of God without recognizing their dependence on God’s mercy.

“Unless you are formed as humble human beings, we cannot become good priests in the future,” he said.

Cardinal Ameyu encouraged priests to begin each day in prayer, kneeling before Christ and acknowledging their need for forgiveness, guidance and renewal.

He linked this call to humility to the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose Assumption into Heaven was celebrated during the occasion.

Reflecting on the Gospel of the day, he highlighted Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth as an example of humility and service, saying her response to God’s call was expressed through reaching out to another person.

The Cardinal said Mary’s example reminds Christians that responding to God should lead to service and solidarity rather than self-importance.

He further explained that the Assumption of Mary, body and soul, points to the Christian hope of resurrection and humanity’s ultimate destiny with God.

Cardinal Ameyo urged the faithful to rise above divisions created by tribe, nationality, tradition and other human identities, emphasizing the common belonging of all people to God.

He challenged the priests to regularly examine their lives and ministry, warning against self-praise, pride and attitudes that could distance them from the people they are called to serve.

The Cardinal said the priesthood must never become a source of personal privilege, but must remain a ministry of service rooted in humility of Christ.

He also called on the faithful to support their priests through prayer, encouragement, and constructive correction.

“It is your duty, as the people of God, to correct these people who are up here at the altar. It is your duty to pray for them,” he said.

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Juba Archdiocese stressed that priests need the prayers of the faithful despite their own commitment to prayer and the celebration of Mass.

He further encouraged priests to remain honest about their vocation and to make responsible decisions if they discover that they are no longer able or willing to serve the people of God, and warned against distractions and behaviors that undermine priestly ministry, urging priests to remain united, disciplined, prayerful, and willing to seek forgiveness and renewal.

The Cardinal concluded by calling for a Church rooted in forgiveness, unity, charity and faith, expressing confidence that God would continue to guide His Church through difficult times.

Source: https://communications.amecea.org/index.php/2026/08/21/south-sudan-cardinal-challenges-new-priests-to-promote-peace/