“Criticize with maturity,” Promote Hope, Unity, and Reconciliation: South Sudanese Catholic Bishop to Youths

Bishop Hiiboro appealed, “Let us debate ideas, policies, visions, and principles without destroying one another through hatred, insults, division, or negativity. Be ready always to present and protect the good name of our nation.”

The Local Ordinary of the CDTY who also serves as Chairman of the Commission for the Promotion of Integral Human Development at the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SSS-CBC) encouraged young people to serve as ambassadors of their country in schools, universities, workplaces, churches, communities, and on social media platforms.

“Be goodwill ambassadors of South Sudan wherever you go, in schools, universities, workplaces, churches, communities, and especially on public media networks. The image of a nation is built daily through the words, actions, discipline, and attitudes of its people,” he said.

While acknowledging the challenges the people of God in South Sudan face, Bishop Hiiboro said patriotism does not require ignoring difficulties.

“Patriotism is not blindness to challenges but the wisdom to correct our weaknesses while preserving the honour and hope of our people,” he said, and appealed, “Let us speak truth with responsibility, criticize with maturity, and promote peace, unity, reconciliation, and development.”

The Local Ordinary of CDTY since his Episcopal Consecration in June 2008 encouraged young people not to lose hope in the face of setbacks.

“Keep walking. If you cannot walk, then crawl. If you cannot crawl, then swing. If you cannot swing, then run. If you cannot run, then fly. And if you fail, rise again and start all over. Never give up on yourselves, on your people, or on your country,” he said.

Reflecting on South Sudan’s independence from Sudan on 9 July 2011, Bishop Hiiboro said the nation’s freedom was achieved through sacrifice and should not be taken for granted.

“The Republic of South Sudan is a young nation, but not a people without history. Our independence was not a mistake, nor do we regret it,” he said, and continued, “We chose freedom despite the many constraints and challenges we continue to face today.”

The Catholic Bishop acknowledged that every nation experiences periods of struggle and development and said South Sudan’s future depends on the determination of its people to learn and grow.