In a deeply reflective message to the seminarians of the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala offered a bold and compassionate vision for priestly formation rooted in silence, prayer, obedience, and hard work. Addressing the challenges of priestly training in South Sudan, the bishop called on young men preparing for the priesthood to embody responsibility, self-reliance, and dignity in labor.

Speaking through a pastoral letter shared with diocesan staff, formators, and seminarians, Bishop Kussala reminded his audience that seminarians are not merely students but “seeds of hope” for a nation marred by conflict yet rich in grace. “You are sons of the Church and future builders of Christ’s Kingdom in a broken but beloved land,” he affirmed, underlining the critical role seminarians play in South Sudan’s moral and spiritual renewal.

He praised seminary staff as co-laborers in love, who tirelessly nurture priestly vocations through patient instruction, witness, and spiritual direction. With 213 seminarians currently enrolled at various stages of formation, the bishop acknowledged the weighty financial burdens involved and issued a call for solidarity. “The formation of a priest is a sacred partnership,” he said, “between the home, seminary, parish, and the wider Church.”

Rejecting the culture of dependency, Bishop Kussala strongly encouraged seminarians to engage in honest manual labor and self-sustaining efforts. “There is no disgrace in working with your hands—it is a sign of maturity, commitment, and readiness for service,” he said. He urged them to avoid a mindset of begging and instead take ownership of their spiritual and practical growth.

The bishop introduced the vision of a restructured diocesan administration, emphasizing the need for pastoral agents who embody dignity in work, moral courage, and entrepreneurial creativity. Invoking a powerful African metaphor, he summed up his approach as: “One hand on the hoe, the other on the Holy Bible.”

Bishop Kussala concluded with a message of hope, stating that South Sudan would rise from its wounds through the integrity and witness of holy, hardworking priests. “This nation will be renewed not through rhetoric, but through the humble example of pastors who live the Gospel with their lives,” he declared.