South Sudan's Challenge

South Sudan's Challenge
Healing & Reconciliation

Friday, March 16, 2007

FOCUS: DIOCESE OF RUMBEK

Capital of Buhirat (Lakes) State and headquarter of the Rumbek province.

1. Historical notes :

The territory of Rumbek Diocese reserved, under the colonial rule of zones of religious influence, to the Episcopalian Church; Catholic expatriate missionaries were not allowed in.

In 1995 a new Ap. Vicariate was created assigned to local clergy who were free to settle and operate freely. The first Sudanese Bishop, H.L. Ireneo Wien Dud, was at the head of the Vicariate.

03.07.1955 Apostolic Vicariate of Rumbek
12.12.1974 Diocese of Rumbeck, suffragan of Juba.

2. Extent : The diocese comprises the three provinces (Rumbek, Yirol, Chuoibet) of the Buhairat State, the two provinces (Warap, Tonj) of the Warap State.

- Pastoral situation : By a written understanding with Bishop of Wau, the communities of Wau Diocese beyond their reach are entrusted temporarily to the Ordinary of Rumbek ; Wau diocese supports with personnel and other resources according to availability. Practically the following areas are under the care of Rumbek Ordinary : North Bahr el Ghazal State (except for Aweil Town and along the railway) ; the provinces of Gogrial, Turalei and Apuk of Warap State ; all communities living 15-20 miles from Wau.

- Area : 56.318 sq. km. - Population : 1. 500.000 - Catholics : 125.000

3. Ordinary : H.E. Bishop Caesare Mazzolari, MCCJ, born at Brescia (Italy) 9.7.1937 ; ordained Priest 17.3.1962 ; appointed Apostolic Administrator of Rumbek in 1990, appointed Bishop on 21.11.1998, consecrated on 6.1.1999.
Address : P.O.B. 21102 Nairobi (Kenya) - Tél : 254/2/562247, 569130. fax + 254/2/566668 e-mail scio@maf.org

- Predecessors :
1955 - 1960 Bishop Ireneo Wien Dud, Apostolic Vicar
1960 - 1972 Msgr. Lino Tiboi. Aposotolic Administrator
1972 - 1975 Bishop Ireneo Wien Dud, Ap. Vicar of Wau, Apostolic Administrator
1975 - 1976 Bishop Gabriel Zubeir Wako
1976 - 1982 Bishop Gabriel Dwatuka
1982 - 1983 Archbishop Agostino Baroni, MCCJ, Ap. Administrator
1983 - 1990 V.Rev. Fr. Giuseppe Pellerino, MCCJ, Ap. Administrator
1990 - Bishop Caesar Mazzolari, MCCJ, Ap. Administrator up to 1999, then
Bishop.

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