South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"

By Waure Eddy
The Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan, Archbishop Séamus Horgan Patrick, paid a visit to the Azande Kingdom, underscoring the long-standing relationship between the Catholic Church and the Azande people.
Horgan was accompanied by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, and a delegation of Catholic priests. The delegation was received on Monday by His Majesty Atoroba Peni Rikito Gbudue at the Royal Palace in Yambio.
The visit highlighted more than a century of cooperation between the Church and the Azande Kingdom, dating back to 1912 when Catholic missionaries were first welcomed by the Azande and given a base in Tombura.
Archbishop Horgan commended the Azande community for their role in the growth of Catholicism in South Sudan and congratulated them on the recent restoration of their kingdom.
He emphasized the Catholic Church’s gratitude for the unwavering support of the Azande people and acknowledged the deep historical and cultural ties between the two institutions.
During the meeting, Prince Mboribamu Tombura Renzi urged Horgan to advocate for the innocent people suffering in Tombura, a region with strong historical links to the Catholic Church in Western Equatoria State.
He called for increased attention from the global Catholic community on the ongoing conflict since 2021, which left hundreds killed and thousands displaced from their homes.
King Atoroba Peni Rikito Gbudue, expressed his appreciation for the Apostolic Nuncio’s visit and reaffirmed the Azande Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with the Church.
He noted that the kingdom played a vital role in supporting the establishment and expansion of Catholicism in the region, and welcomed the continued collaboration for the spiritual and social well-being of the people.
The visit reaffirmed the enduring bond between the Catholic Church and the Azande Kingdom, setting the stage for further partnerships in faith, peace building, and humanitarian efforts in South Sudan.