Bishop Hiiboro appeals for peace in Tombura amidst escalating tension
The bishop called on the communities, including government leaders, elders, youth, and women, to prioritize dialogue over conflict
By Emmanuel Mandella
The Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CTDY), Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala is appealing for peace as the Diocese is preparing to celebrate the centenary celebration of faith.
“As a shepherd of Christ sent to preach the message of peace, love, compassion, and forgiveness, I am begging you on my knees in the name of our Lord and Saviour to stop hating and killing each other,” Hiiboro stated in a pastoral letter released on Monday.
The centenary celebration to mark the 100 years of Christianity in the region will be celebrated in Ngboko Boma of Source Yubu Payam under Tombura County.
Bishop Hiiboro emphasized that this milestone presents a unique opportunity for reflection and healing.
“Let this advent be a time of renewal, reconstruction, rebuilding, and revival, let it be a time when we pray, pray, and pray for the grace of a right mind and a renewed spirit. Let us extend a hand of reconciliation to all and be true bearers of peace,” he wrote.
Quoting from the Gospel of John 10:10, the Bishop reminded the communities of the destructive nature of hatred and violence, attributing these acts to the work of evil.
“Jesus said, ‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’ Only Jesus can bring the peace we need,” he emphasized.
Further, he called on the communities, including government leaders, elders, youth, and women, to prioritize dialogue over conflict.
“Ethnic conflict can only be stopped by peaceful means. Violence cannot bring peace. True peace comes through dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation,” he urged.
The events in Tombura, which will bring together residents and international visitors, underscore the importance of presenting a united front.
“We are all coming together to pray as one people, asking divine intervention and God’s mercy for lasting peace in our troubled land,” Hiiboro said.
The bishop appealed for individual introspection and spiritual transformation, asking everyone to allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse their hearts of hatred and violence.
“We hate and kill each other because there is violence in our hearts. Jesus is asking to come into our hearts to replace it with the spirit of unconditional love, compassion, and forgiveness,” he wrote.
The bishop pledged to continue to pray for Tombura, “I will continue to pray for you and lasting peace in our beloved Tombura County.
Tension has been high in the region over the past months, following sporadic attacks and killings; the latest attack being a grenade launch in the residence of the area Commissioner, which missed the administrator by a whisker, but destroyed his home.
There have also been killings, ambushes and intercommunal conflicts, attracting condemnation from local and national leaders.
“We hate and kill each other because there is violence in our hearts. Jesus is asking to come into our hearts to replace it with the spirit of unconditional love, compassion, and forgiveness,” Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro, the Catholic Diocese of Tombura.
