Bishop Christian Carlassare arrived in Unity State Thursday to begin presiding over the new Catholic Diocese of Bentiu.
The Bishop landed at the Rubkonta airstrip in Unity State two months after his June appointment.
His appointment followed the announcement of the creation of the new diocese by Pope Francis on July 3.
Speaking at the St Martin de Forest Church, Bishop Carlassare appreciated the reception accorded him by the Bentiu congregation, all the way from the Rubkonta airstrip.
He said the new diocese would promote peace and unity through Jesus’s name in the entire Unity State and the Ruweng Administrative Area.
He extended an invitation to all to the Mass on Sunday, saying it will be an occasion for a big congregation.
Bishop Stephen Nyodho Ador of the Catholic Diocese of Malakal in the Upper Nile said he had come together with the other Christians to hand over the new office to Bishop Carlassare.
Unity State Deputy Governor James Tor Tungwar said the regional government, under Governor Riek Biem, fully welcomed the new bishop.
“We the government of Unity State, welcome you and look forward to a period of peace and unity,” he said.