Pope Francis has installed Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, as first Cardinal of the Catholic Church in South Sudan.
Cardinal Ameyu is among 21 new cardinals installed on Saturday, September 30, who nowl subsequently form a group of 137 cardinals eligible to elect a new Pope in the future.
Pope Francis announced Archbishop Stephen Ameyu of Juba as a cardinal-designate on July 9, the day of South Sudan’s 12th anniversary of independence, making it a double celebration for the church and the nation—considered the world’s youngest.
The archbishop has been seen on the front lines of the peace and reconciliation efforts in South Sudan.
Ameyu was among the 21 new cardinals selected by Pope, with the other nominees coming from the United States, Italy, Argentina, Switzerland, South Africa, Spain, Colombia, South Sudan, Hong Kong, Poland, Malaysia, Tanzania, and Portugal.
“Let us pray for the new Cardinals, so that, confirming their adhesion to Christ, the merciful and faithful High Priest, they might help me in my ministry as Bishop of Rome for the good of the entire Holy People faithful to God,” Francis said during Sunday’s service, according to Vatican News.
South Sudan government delegates, among them the National Assembly Speaker, Jemma Nunu Kumba, are already on the ground to witness the event set for today.
Other members of the delegation are His Eminent Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako, Emeritus Archbishop of Khartoum, among other important religious leaders in Sudan and South Sudan, according to Ador Deng Ador, the public relations, communications, and media officer in the office of the speaker.
Meanwhile, according to several media reports, the expected number was 100 individuals, but at the latest, 80 individuals turned up from South Sudan. Nearly 80 people, comprising government representatives, the families of the cardinal-elect, clergy members, religious leaders from different denominations, women, and youth, arrived in Rome on Thursday to witness the forthcoming installation of His Grace Stephen Ameyu as Cardinal of the Archdiocese of Juba.
This event holds great importance within the Catholic Church, as it signifies the official commencement of responsibilities and duties for Archbishop Ameyu as the new Cardinal.
Bishop Ameyu’s appointment holds historical significance, as he becomes the first-ever Cardinal from South Sudan since the country gained independence in 2011.
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“Let us pray for the new Cardinals, so that, confirming their adhesion to Christ, the merciful and faithful High Priest, they might help me in my ministry as Bishop of Rome for the good of the entire Holy People faithful to God.”- Pope Francis at a past Sunday service.
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