Catholic Diocese of Rumbek, South Sudan:
Holy Cross Parish
Introduction : South Sudan is one of the youngest and promising Nations in the world. It is situated in East Africa. She gained her independence fourteen years ago. The population of South Sudan is approximately 12,265,015 people as of October 27, 2025, with a growth rate of 2% per year.
South Sudan has about 64 recognized tribes, each with its unique culture, language, and traditions. These tribes are broadly categorized into groups like the Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, and South Western Sudanic peoples. Some of the major tribes include
Dinka: The largest ethnic group, making up about 36% of the population
Nuer: The second largest, accounting for around 16%
Azande: Making up about 6% of the population
Bari :Accounting for around 4%
- Shilluk Making up about 3%
Like some nations in Africa, Peace and economic growth is still crawling. However, the future is bright.
Ecclesiology : the church in south Sudan is still a growing church. It has one ecclesiastical province with one archdiocese (Juba) and six suffragan dioceses, making a total of 8 dioceses.
Dioceses. The Catholic diocese of Rumbek is located in Lakes State with an Apostolic Administrator: Bishop Christian Carlssare.
The Catholic diocese of Rumbek consists of seventeen Parishes with three Deaneries. The name of my Parish is Holy Cross Parish Rumbek. It is in central deanery.
Ministry : the Spiritan mission in South Sudan is under the administration of Kenya Province. We have three communities/Parishes:
Good Shepherd Parish, Thon Aduel:
Holy Cross Parish Rumbek
and SS Peter and Paul Wulu.
At Holy Cross Parish we run the following ministries:
Parish (pastoral), Education, and Agriculture,
Parish (pastoral) ministry : Morning Mass: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays (For youth and Children),
Sunday Mass (one at the center and one at our out station)
Confession,: every Friday, catechism classes (Friday and Saturday),
infant baptism once in three months,
visiting the sick/hospital once in two weeks, youth animation and choir, PMC: Pontifical Mission For Children.
Education ; Holy Cross Parish runs two primary schools: one for the diocese (St. Gonzaga) and the other belongs to Spiritans (St. Joseph, Malou). As the Parish Priest, I am also the principal of both schools. The church is really investigating much in education, however much is needed to eradicate illiteracy. Note that via education apostolate, the Spiritan mission equips the young populace thereby prepares them for a bright future and to face and overcome vissicitude of life.
Agriculture : Agriculture is one of the projects Spiritan mission deploys to support the poor especially women. The biblical assignment "give them something to eat" ( Matt. 14;16.) is fulfilled in Spiritan Farm apostolate.
The good people of South Sudan : generally, the people of South Sudan welcome visitors. However, their struggle for independence is characterized by much violence. Thus, their meekness much not be taken for granted or seen as weakness. South Sudan is a secular nation. But When it comes to Catholicism, the faith is still skin deep. This issue is traceable to the first envagelizers: the Combonians. Therefore, present day missionaries must avoid blame game and start doing the needful.
Fr. Jude Nnadozie cssp .
Below are some pictorial activities
