Yei: South Sudan’s Catholic faithful are being called to hope and reason as violence escalates in parts of the country. Bishop Alex Lodiong Sakor Eyobo of the Diocese of Yei has passionately appealed for dialogue and reconciliation, stressing that there is no alternative to sitting together at the negotiation table to resolve political disputes.
The Bishop’s plea comes after clashes erupted during his pastoral visit to Assumption Parish in Lasu, about 25 kilometres southwest of Yei city. “We arrived on Thursday for our annual parish visits,” Bishop Lodiong recounted at Christ the King Cathedral in Yei. “Over 200 children received their First Holy Communion, and another 200 faithful were confirmed during our celebrations for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Lasu Parish is vibrant, full of children and young people, yet violence struck while we were there.”
According to Bishop Lodiong, at around 4:30 a.m., gunfire from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and opposition-aligned militias jolted the villages of Lasu and Libogo awake. Residents scrambled for safety some rushing into the parish church, others hiding in the forested areas. “Children as young as five were fleeing into the bushes. Some got separated from their parents. Imagine the fear and chaos,” the Bishop described.
Highlighting the urgency of peace, Bishop Lodiong reminded worshippers, “All our problems can only be resolved when we come together, sit at the table, and seek understanding. God made us in His image, capable of reason and dialogue. Guns destroy; conversation builds.”
The Diocese of Yei, bordering Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, has long been a flashpoint for insecurity. The recent attack on Kenyan civil engineer James Kariuki, killed while working on a Salesian construction project in Morobo, underscores the dangers facing humanitarian and essential workers. Coupled with climate shocks and economic hardship, these threats deepen suffering for the most vulnerable.
Concluding his address, Bishop Lodiong expressed gratitude for the safety of his team. “Thanks be to God, we returned safely. Let us continue to pray for Lasu, for our people, and for all of South Sudan.”
The Bishop’s message is a timely call for unity, reflection, and dialogue in a nation where peace remains fragile but hope endures.