South Sudanese newly ordained Deacons asked to shun “every form of vanity”

Michael Cardinal Czerny, the Prefect for the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD) has called upon the three Deacons he ordained in South Sudan on the Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, Thursday, February 8, to shun and refrain from all forms of pride and self-idolatry, which he said would distance them from God’s graces.

In his homily during the Diaconate Ordination of Seminarians Michael Thilyang Gatkek, Emmanuel Changjwok Pawang Lual, and Matthew Akoabanda Arrey, Cardinal Czerny urged the trio to be part of those, who “build a civilization of love and peace in the world today.”

He told the Deacons-elect that the mission of contributing to the culture of love and peace can be achieved “by imitating Jesus Christ, the Master who came, not to be served, but to serve,” and emphasized, “Your ministry should be centered on Him, avoiding every form of vanity that may distract you.”

“This means avoiding every form of greed, hunger for power, wealth, tribalism or even an unhealthy nationalism,” he explained.

Cardinal Czerny went on to acknowledge the fact that the evangelization mission is not one without challenges, and said, “Confronting the difficulties of our age, you must speak of Jesus, witness to Jesus, with hopefulness, cheerfulness and joy, especially when you meet the poor and suffering.”

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“In light of these, and other, particular challenges that you will encounter throughout your life and ministry, I point you to the commitments that you will make as we celebrate the ritual of the ordination of deacons,” the Cardinal told the Deacons-elect in Malakal Diocese at the Catholic Church dedicated in honor of St. Josephine Bakhita, the Sudanese-born saint, who is also the patron saint of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking.

Cardinal Czerny, who arrived in South Sudan on February 3, for his eight-day pastoral trip to mark one year since the first-ever papal visit to the country lead the people of God at the St. Bakhita Church in marking the tenth annual World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking, whose theme is, “Journeying in Dignity. Listen. Dream. Act”.

In his homily, he recalled the the Holy Father’s sharing during his General Audience on October 11, 2023, as exemplified in the life of St. Bakhita. The Holy Father said, “The vocation of the oppressed is that of freeing themselves and their oppressors, becoming restorers of humanity. Only in the weakness of the oppressed can the force of God’s love, which frees both, be revealed”.

“The diaconate is a ministry of service that requires closeness to Christ, the Bishop and Priests, deacons and the people of God, especially the poor and suffering,” the Cardinal Czerny, who founded and directed the African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN) said.

Michael Cardinal Czerny, who is set to conclude his pastoral visit to South Sudan on Friday, February 9, implored the Catholic faithful present, saying, “Let us pray for these three men as they receive the great Sacrament of Holy Orders and accept their new pastoral responsibilities. And with our Holy Father, Pope Francis, let us pray that we may all be one in Christ Jesus.”