AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN - The city of Rii-Yubu, consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, proclaims to the nation and the world that faith, love, and hope are stronger than distance, hardship, and fear

Rii-Yubu (Fides News Agency) – Thousands of faithful participated in a solemn procession stretching nearly three kilometres through the city of Rii-Yubu, known as Source-Yubu City, before culminating at the newly established convent of the Adoration Sisters. It was a historic moment during which the Bishop of the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, solemnly consecrated the town, its people, families, institutions, and future to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Recounting the intensity of the day to Fides News Agency, Bishop Hiiboro emphasized how the streets of Rii-Yubu became a living testimony of faith, prayer, unity, and hope as Christians publicly entrusted their lives and their future to the loving Heart of Christ. "This consecration carries profound significance because Rii-Yubu occupies one of the most strategic yet vulnerable locations in South Sudan," the prelate remarked.

Situated along the long border between South Sudan and the Central African Republic, the area has experienced decades of challenges associated with cross-border insecurity, armed conflict, displacement, and underdevelopment. Even today, it remains one of the most remote regions of the country, connected by a road often regarded as among the most difficult in South Sudan. The remoteness of the region has limited access to government services, investment opportunities, and development initiatives, making daily life a struggle for many families.

“Yet, despite these challenges, the people of Rii-Yubu have demonstrated extraordinary resilience, faith, and determination,” added Bishop Hiiboro. “The city has become a place of refuge and hospitality, welcoming refugees fleeing instability in the Central African Republic and internally displaced persons from Tombura and neighbouring communities. In a region marked by uncertainty, Rii-Yubu has remained a sanctuary of hope.”

Throughout these years, the Catholic Church has stood as one of the most dependable institutions serving the people. Through the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio and its partners, the Church has provided education, healthcare, humanitarian assistance, livelihoods support, peacebuilding programmes, pastoral care, and social services. "Where others have found it difficult to reach, the Church has remained present, walking with the people in their struggles and aspirations," Hiiboro explains.

The prelate also highlighted the Catholic heritage of Rii-Yubu, calling it "a source of inspiration." The city is blessed with two parishes that form the spiritual heart of the community. Ave Maria Parish, founded in 1923, is among the oldest Catholic missions in South Sudan and has served the people faithfully for more than a century. St. Thomas Parish, canonically erected in 2011, reflects the continued growth and vitality of the Church's mission in the region. "Together, these parishes have nurtured generations of believers and contributed immensely to the spiritual and social transformation of the area."

Rii-Yubu is also home to what many consider one of the most beautiful, spacious, and architecturally impressive church buildings in South Sudan. Rising prominently above the landscape, the magnificent church stands as a symbol of faith, perseverance, and the enduring presence of God among His people.

In a place often associated with remoteness and hardship, this remarkable house of worship proclaims a different story: a story of hope, beauty, dignity, and unwavering trust in divine providence. It has become not only a centre of worship but also a landmark of inspiration for the entire region.

"The consecration of Source-Yubu City to the Sacred Heart of Jesus therefore represents far more than a religious ceremony," explains Bishop Hiiboro. "It is a spiritual proclamation that Christ remains present among His people, especially in places marked by hardship and isolation. It is a declaration that no community is forgotten by God and that His love reaches even the most distant frontiers of the world."

The bishop recalled how this devotion to the Sacred Heart has inspired Catholic communities for generations. Families, parishes, schools, dioceses, and entire communities have entrusted themselves to the Sacred Heart as a source of mercy, protection, healing, reconciliation, and hope. "For Rii-Yubu, this consecration marks the beginning of a renewed chapter," he continued. "It is an act of entrusting the future of the community to Jesus Christ. It is a prayer for healing from the wounds of violence and displacement. It is a commitment to strengthen families, promote reconciliation, and protect the most vulnerable, and inspire a future built on peace, justice, and integral human development.”

The newly established convent of the Adoration Sisters stands as a visible sign of this hope. Through their ministry of prayer, Eucharistic adoration, and service, they will help strengthen the spiritual foundations of the community and bring the light of Christ to future generations.

The three-kilometre procession was not merely a march through the city; it was a pilgrimage of hope and a declaration that Christ walks with His people. Standing at the frontier between nations, Source-Yubu City is called to become more than a border town. It is called to be a bridge of peace, reconciliation, fraternity, and human dignity among peoples and nations. Consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Rii-Yubu now looks toward the future with renewed confidence, trusting that the Heart of Christ will guide, protect, and bless its people for generations to come.
“From its century-old Catholic heritage to its magnificent church standing proudly on South Sudan's frontier, from its welcoming embrace of refugees and displaced families to its unwavering faith in God, Rii-Yubu stands today as a beacon of hope,” concludes the Bishop of Tombura-Yambio.
“Consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Source-Yubu City proclaims to the nation and the world that faith, love, and hope are stronger than distance, hardship, and fear.” (AP) (Fides News Agency, 22/6/2026)

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