Pope Tells Poor to "Never Tire of Offering Prayerful, Consoling Presence"
Pope Francis Prays for Bishop-Elect of South Sudan After Shooting
Pope Francis is praying for the bishop elect of South Sudan who was shot by armed gunmen on Sunday night. The Holy See Press Office said in a statement the Pope was immediately notified of the incident.
Fr. Christian Carlassare, a Comboni Missionary from Italy was shot on both legs by unknown gunmen.
“In the night at around 1 am, some people came at my door, and they were trying to enter. They shot at my door. When the door was open, I came out and asked what they wanted and then they started shooting low at my legs,” Fr Carlassare said while narrating his ordeal to the local media.
The Bishop-elect was airlifted to Nairobi for specialized treatment.
“You pray for me and pray and for the people of Rumbek. We also forgive those that commit these kinds of actions. We do not carry any grudges,” Fr Carlassare said.
The Director of the Vatican’s Press Office, Matteo Bruni told Vatican News that the Pope was aware of the incident and that he was praying for Fr Carlassare.
“There is no fighting at the moment. The truce is holding. We hope that the peace will hold for a long time. The lack of armed conflict is better than a return to war. The guns are silent, and we are hopeful for the future,” the Director of the La Salle School of Rumbek, Brother Brother Alak recently told Vatican News.
On Easter Sunday, Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin Mula of Juba Archdiocese prayed that Easter would usher in a new spirit of forgiveness in South Sudan.
“Forgiveness is Easter itself, and Easter is forgiveness,” Archbishop Ameyu told Vatican News.
“This forgiveness must begin with us. We must forgive each other from the bottom of our hearts. Forgiveness is complete when we have forgiven others. Through the cross and the resurrection of Christ, we too can experience paradise here in our lives,” said Archbishop Ameyu.
During a 2019 spiritual retreat for South Sudan leaders, the Pope knelt and kissed their feet while urging them to seek a peaceful solution to the South Sudan crisis.
“You have begun a process. May it end well,” Pope Francis told them.
“There will be disagreements among you, but may these take place in the confines of your offices while, in front of your people, you hold hands. In this way, you will be transformed from mere citizens to Fathers of the nation.
“As a brother, I ask you to stay the course of peace. I ask you from the bottom of my heart, let us go forward.
“There will be many challenges, but do not be afraid,” Pope Francis told South Sudan’s leaders before kissing their feet.
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