The international Catholic broadcasting station Radio Maria is set to establish a branch in South Sudan according to senior representatives from Italy.

Paolo Taffori, Coordinator of World Family of Radio Maria, says every part of South Sudan would receive clear and effective signal when the station becomes operational next year.

“I am happy that South Sudan joins the great family of Radio Maria and hope this will be a blessing to the people of South Sudan as it will cover all parts of the country,’ Taffori said.

Radio Maria was established in 1987 in Italy and since then it established branches in more than 85 countries in the world with 25 branches in Africa.

In Africa, Radio Maria has stations, among other countries, in Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Tanzania, and Lesotho. 

Dr. Stephen Ameyo, the Metropolitan Bishop of Juba Diocese laid the ground stone foundation next to Radio Bachata last week, which marked the start of the project in the country.

According to Ameyo, besides promoting gospel, Radio Maria would promote social cohesion and development in the country adding that all dioceses would have access to the transmitter.

“We will have the transmitter in each Catholic diocese in South Sudan to help spread the words of God to the people across the country,” Ameyo said.

South Sudan Radio Maria Representative, Simon Mikanipare commended World Family of Radio Maria into country saying greater rural population would have access to information as provided by the law.

“The right to have access to information enshrined in the law, which many of our people in South Sudan, especially people in the rural setup do not have, will be fulfilled and they will benefit from the word of God that will be preached nationwide through the radio,” Mikanipara said.

Since its founding, according to Pope Francis, “Radio Maria has aimed to help the church in the work of evangelization; and to do so in its own way, that is, close to the people’s concerns and tragedies, with words of comfort and hope, the fruit of faith and commitment to solidarity”.