The Bishop-elect of the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek, Fr. Christian Carlassare, on Friday returned to the country ahead of his installation scheduled for March 25, 2022.

Addressing the media at Juba International Airport yesterday, Fr. Carlassare said he was “committed to offering satisfactory services to the people of South Sudan and the church without any partiality.”

”Also, I am grateful to the [national] government, the local government of Lakes State and the national government for their common effort with the church to make this day possible,” he stated.

“I am really happy to be adopted by this country, to be a brother to everyone, to exclude no one, but to serve everyone, (including) this community that has welcomed me, and made me a brother,” Fr. Carlassare said.

‘Happy to be back’

He also expressed gratitude to the local church and the universal church in Rome for making his return possible after spending a year outside the country.

“I am really grateful to be back today, after almost one year that I was out. So, my gratitude to this country, the church, the universal church in Rome and also the local church in South Sudan, with all the bishops of this country, and all the people that are Christians and believe in the church, that have welcomed me back today. It’s a great joy,” Fr. Carlassare stressed.

The cleric, who was nursing gunshot wounds he sustained in Rumbek, said that he had just arrived and was happy to celebrate his return with the people of South Sudan.

Planned consecration

Early this month, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wau and the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Rumbek, Rt. Rev Matthew Adam Gbitiku, announced the consecration of Carlassare as the bishop of the Diocese of Rumbek on March 25, 2022.

“The consecration of Bishop-elect Fr Christian Carlassare will take place on the solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, 25th March, 2022 in Rumbek. Let us accompany him with our prayers. I wish you good preparation for the occasion as we enter into this period of Lent,” he stated.

Bishop Gbitiku noted that the decision was made after consultations with the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan, Archbishop Bert van Megen, and the bishop-elect, Christian Carlassare.

He was appointed as the bishop-elect of the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek on March 8, 2021, to replace the Bishop Caesar Mazzolari who passed on, in 2011.

On April 26, 2021, before his scheduled consecration on May 23, 2021 Carlassare was shot on both legs by a group of armed youths at his residence in Rumbek at night.

The suspects are currently awaiting the administration of justice in the court, as there will be a submission of documents to the court on March 25, 2022, the same day when the bishop will be consecrated.

One suspect has already been set free by the Juba High Court after he was confirmed innocent.