South Sudanese ‘full of joy’ for Cardinal Parolin’s visit
By Devin Watkins
“The joy and the hope of receiving Pope Francis in South Sudan has not been lost.”
Fr. Okot, a Comboni missionary, offered that assessment of the Vatican Secretary of State’s trip to the African nation.
Speaking to Pope’ Francesca Sabatinelli, Fr. Okot said the people were initially quite disappointment to hear that the Pope was forced to postpone his Apostolic Journey to South Sudan due to treatment for severe knee pain.
Sign of Pope’s paternal care
Yet, he said, Pope Francis sent a concrete sign of his concern in the person of Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
Fr. Okot added that he saw feelings of joy, celebration, and happiness on people’s faces as they welcomed the Cardinal to their country.
Almost all the Bishops of South Sudan were present at the airport to welcome the Secretary of State.
Bentiu camp a ‘reflection of other parts of South Sudan’
As Cardinal Parolin visited the internally-displaced persons camp in Bentiu, he was able to witness the “terrible conditions in which people are living”, said Fr. Okot.
His words there will hopefully shine the international spotlight on the plight of those living there.
Fr. Okot expressed his hopes that the Cardinal’s visit will invite the government of South Sudan to “stop violence and give our people peace, hope, freedom, and security.”
In conclusion, the Comboni priest thanked the Pope for his constant care for people on the peripheries.
“Pope Francis has always shown that he walks with us on our way of faith, on our way of life,” he said. “I would also like to thank Cardinal Parolin for coming, to show that the Church is always thinking of us.”
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