Bishop elect of Rumbek Catholic Diocese designate Monsignor Christian Carlassare arrived in Juba, South Sudan, on Friday ahead of his consecration on 25 March in Rumbek.
Msgr. Carlassare left South Sudan in April last year after he was attacked and shot on both legs in Rumbek, just over a month after Pope Francis named him designated Bishop of Rumbek, succeeding late Bishop Caesar Mazzolari who died in July 2011, age 74 a week after South Sudan independent.
Msgr. Caralasare was taken to Nairobi for treatment and later relocated to Italy days after he had been discharged from Nairobi Hospital in Kenya and his consecration scheduled on May 25 2021 was postponed.
The bishop of Wau Diocese, who is the apostolic administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek, Mathew Remijo Adam Gbitiku, announced the date of consecration of bishop Fr. Christian Carlassare.
He told the press and catholic faithful upon his arrival at the Juba International Airport that he is happy to be back in South Sudan and promised to continue with his pastoral assignment.
“I am really grateful to be back today after almost one year that I was out, so my gratitude to God first of all, to this country, the church here, the universal church in Rome and also the local churches of South Sudan with all the bishops of this country, and all the people that are Christians and believe in the church and briefly with your welcoming me back today is a great joy.”
He also appreciate the government of Lakes state and the national government for making the coordination of his return a success. He pledges to serve the Christian community in South Sudan and appreciates them for the hospitality.
“I am grateful to the government, the local government of Lakes state and the national government for the common effort with the church to make this day possible.”
He says he is happy to be adopted by this country to be a brother to everyone, exclude no one but to serve everyone that have welcome him and make him as a brother.
Father Andrea Osman Okello who is the Vicar General for the catholic diocese of Rumbek says the church is prepared to receive the Bishop Elect. He said the elect Bishop is expected to travel to Rumbek with other bishops on Wednesday next week.
He says the church has arranged the accommodation for the escorting bishops, prepared food and place for the consecration scheduled to take place next week.
“We have done the arrangement and the committee is in place and the church is committed in both preparations and prayers as we wait for the Bishop to be consecrated on Friday next week”
Bishop-elect of the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek; Christian Carlassare will finally be consecrated in March 25, 2022.