South Sudan is the youngest country in the world in several senses. Firstly because it has an average age of 16.7 years and secondly because it broke away politically from Sudan, becoming an autonomous state only in 2011.
Extremely rich in resources, blessed by nature, the small African country nevertheless lies at the bottom of the development and welfare statistics due to a fierce civil war that broke out only two years after its birth (there are still a few outbreaks), extremely serious phenomena linked to climate change and external interests in its resources, first and foremost oil.
The country’s Christian majority (it broke away from the almost entirely Islamic Sudan also for reasons of religious belief, ed.) is divided into 65% belonging to the Protestant/Anglican churches and about 35% Catholics.
The delicate situation in the country has always been at the centre of Pope Francis’ thoughts. In addition to the many prayer vigils and Angelus messages dedicated to South Sudan, everyone remembers the pontiff’s resounding gesture when, in April 2019, during a meeting at the Vatican with Sudanese political and religious leaders, without warning, he bent down to the ground and kissed their feet as well as imploring them to make a solemn commitment to peace.
Then, last February, he realised his dream of visiting the country, in a historic trip that took him first to the Democratic Republic of Congo and then to South Sudan, two of the countries most disfigured by conflict and poverty.
How is this country, as beautiful as it is torn apart, experiencing the Synod process? What expectations do pastors and people have? How much has the Pope’s constant and paternal commitment affected them and what has changed since the trip? We spoke about this with Mgr Christian Carlassare, Bishop of Rumbek, a Combonian, the youngest bishop in the whole of Africa.
“The population follows the synodal process but at the same time experiences very different problems from Catholic populations in other parts of the world, also in terms of formation. Our Catholic population is very young, strong in the faith but sometimes also innocent, not as attentive to much bigger issues other than those related to primary issues of faith and the Gospel. I would say, however, that there is a small percentage who follow with interest and I consider it a fruit of this Synod towards which the African Church and the population look positively.
“This drive to participate, the missionary impetus and the need for a Church made up of young people who increasingly need to relate with other worlds are very important signs. As far as my diocese is concerned, I was only ordained bishop in March 2022 (due to the attack in April 2021, Bishop Carlassare had to undergo a long period of rehabilitation before returning to the diocese), when the synodal process had already started much time before.
“It has been anyway a favourable opportunity for us to think of ourselves as a synodal Church and recreate those means of participation in order to be Church together. The essential thrust that comes to us from this synod is to imagine ourselves as human resources ready to dedicate ourselves to the creation of communities in communion.”
The Synod on Synodality, was it an opportunity to overcome divisions?
“I can say that one of the best fruits of the Synod for my diocese is to have started a path of participation between groups that were divided in the past: diocesan clergy and religious, clergy and laity.
It is fundamental in this country to make strong and mature communities capable of changing society through faith choices that can only start from the bottom. Christian choices, “counter-current” and liberating choices for all the people.
“All this helps to overcome divisions in the Christian people themselves, who are in the majority in the country but who sometimes live confused, but also in other cultures such as the Dinka or the Nilotic culture (an ethnic group present in the area, ed.) who have yet to recognise the Gospel and the message of Jesus.”
Pope Francis has been following South Sudan with special attention since the beginning of his pontificate, and last February he made a historic visit, has his closeness changed the country?
“The Pope’s care for South Sudan has undoubtedly positively influenced the positions of the government and oppositions and favoured the peace agreement and the path to a government of national unity.
His visit gave much hope and courage: for those living in permanent poverty and suffering, hope and encouragement are very important. “The situation, as the Pope well knows, is still very heavy: two million refugees abroad, just as many internally displaced persons, armed and belligerent groups in some areas, and severe climate change, make life very hard for many. South Sudan is a country with great contradictions, the path to peace is not easily or quickly achieved. It needs inclusion, disarmament and widespread education.
“We can be happy to see a commitment by the government to implement the peace agreements even if there are still resolutions that are not implemented. The unification of the army, for example, is still struggling, but the path towards democratisation, elections, the desire to have more and more people involved in the administration of the country and to limit the space of those who want to continue the war as a means of survival for their own group, are important.”
Monsignor Carlassare, you, like many in the country, have been the victim of extreme violence. On the night of 25-26 April 2021, you suffered an attack that left you seriously injured in both legs, two and a half years after that terrible episode, what is your comment?
“The attack was a great humiliation that taught me to be humble and to be among people in this spirit and in the joy of living my days giving hope and experiencing the liberation that only comes to us from Jesus.
At the beginning of his ministry, Pope Francis spoke of the Church as a field hospital that heals wounds and by healing the wounds of others, it also heals its own because it bears the same wounds as the people of God. As long as there is life, the wound tends to heal with proper care, and it is almost an implicit force within the life of each person.”
Can you explain what happened?
“Two people at night unhinged the door of my house and took us out and put us up against the wall as if for an execution. Then they lowered their guns and fired a dozen shots at my legs. I managed to get back in but they hit me and I fell down while losing a lot of blood.
“It was a very hard event for me and for the diocese, an incomprehensible attack, however it forced me to stand in solidarity with so many innocent victims, with the people of South Sudan themselves, who, because of violence, arrogance, ambition for power and eagerness to control resources, have been brought to their knees.
“I made common cause with so many victims and I thank the Lord for his presence at that time but also when I returned wounded among a wounded people: we rose up together believing in the healing that was possible. The Lord changed my heart to try to be a good shepherd with the sheep and stay even if there is a wolf.”
