President Salva Kiir has condemned the shooting of the Bishop-elect of Rumbek Diocese Christian Carlassare, terming the act by Lakes state gunmen shameful.
The president released a statement on Monday evening, saying the ‘disgraceful act of the violence meted Bishop-elect of Rumbek was unacceptable and must be stopped.’
“I call upon all South Sudanese to condemn the criminals who carried out this terrible crime in strongest terms possible,” Kiir said
He also urged authorities in Lakes State to carry out an ‘expeditious investigation that would lead to lawful apprehension and prosecution of criminals who perpetrated the crime.’
“If those who carried out this shameful act were doing so to intimidate the church, they are sadly mistaken. The catholic faithful Bishop Elect, Christian Carlassare, was chosen to lead and authorities in Lakes State will stand by him and will not allow action of few criminals to affect the plans of ecclesiastical authority,” the president said
Yesterday, the authorities in Lakes State arrested police officers and 24 men who were guarding the residence of Fr Carlassare.
Makur Kulang told one of the local radio stations that he could not comprehend how the criminals could shoot the bishop and escape without any response from the nearby police station.