The return of Carlassare means reconciliation
On Tuesday, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wau and the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Rumbek, His Lordship Matthew Adam Gbitiku yesterday announced the consecration of Bishop-elect of Christian Carlasssare as Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek.
“The consecration of Bishop-elect Fr Christian Carlassare will take place on the solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, March 25, 2022, in Rumbek. Let us accompany him with our prayers. I wish you good preparation for the occasion as we enter into this period of Lent,” he said.
Bishop Mathew said the decision came after consultations with the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan, Archbishop Bert van Megen, and the bishop-elect, Christian Carlassare.
“After due consultation with the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan, and the bishop-elect, I am happy to announce to you the consecration of Bishop of Rumbek,” he said.
He was appointed as the bishop-elect of the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek on March 8, 2021, by Pope Francis who replaced the late Bishop of the Diocese of Rumbek Caesar Mazzolari who passed on during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in 2011.
Carlassare was supposed to be installed on May 23, 2021, installation but the attack on him by armed youth wounded on April 26, 2021, made the installation impossible. Fr. Carlassare was shot on both legs when a group of armed youth attacked him at his residence in Rumbek Diocese. He was then rushed for treatment to a hospital in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
The news about the consecration of bishop-elect Carlassare is very significant and came when the faithful were just entering into the Lent period to prepare themselves for Easter. Lent always begins on Ash Wednesday, the day after Shrove Tuesday, and six weeks before Easter.
It is an important period of reflection, growth, and new beginnings in the Christian calendar. Most Christians in the Catholic Church are expected to use this special time to show their devotion to their faith, draw closer to God, and prepare for Easter.
As we have already entered into the Lent period yesterday, it is important in particular the Christians in Rumbek Diocese to reflect on their past to start a new beginning to receive a new Bishop. They should know that they belong to the Universal church that does not discriminate against each of their faithful. As such, they ought to do the same. They need to start preparing their hearts to receive Fr. Christian Carlassare as their new Bishop who will later lead to the Easter celebration.
That means the Easter festive in Rumbek Diocese would be a celebration of God’s reconciliation with man through the resurrection of His son Jesus Christ as well as the reconciliation between man and man through the consecration of Bishop-elect Carlarssare. We also thank Fr. Christian Carlarssare for his acceptance to return to Rumbek Diocese this implies that he has forgiven his folks.
