A priest, Father Luke Yugue Mbokusa, and his driver, Mr. Michael Gbeko, went missing almost a month ago, on April 27. They were travelling from Nagero County to Tombura County but never arrived at their destination. The circumstances of their disappearance are unknown. After an unsuccessful search for the men, Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of Tombura Yambio Diocese announced the funerals of the priest and the driver. Bishop Kussala also expressed his condolences to the families and friends but asked for calm and no retaliation.

“As humans, in situations like this, many of us believe that a sense of justice and closure can be achieved by taking the law into our hands. Indeed, the grief, anger, loss or contempt we have for the perpetrator is making us believe that revenge should be the best way forward. But the Church says NO to that.”

He made this request because of the rising tensions after the disappearance of Father Mbokusa and Mr Gbeko. They disappeared in a territory controlled by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition as the political and ethnic insinuations started to rise online. Bishop Kussala also asked President Salva Kiir Mayardit to intervene. The president sent the military to the Tombura region and successfully prevented an outbreak of violence.

Father Mbokusa and Mr Gbeko’s funeral prayers and Holy Mass will be held from May 23 to May 25.

Source: Vatican News

Photo: AMECEA