Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Fr. Bernardino Lowi Napata as the new Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Torit. The position was vacant for three years.
In a letter dated 7 November, the Vatican Charge’ De Affairs, Monsignor Ionut Paul Strejac, addressed Lowi’s appointment to Stephen Ameyu Martin, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba, who also doubles as the Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Church in Torit.
“In this regard, I would like also to point out that, following the Canon Law, you will remain the Apostolic Administrator until the bishop-elect will take possession of the Episcopal of this diocese,” the letter reads in part.
Reacting to the news, Fr. Anthony Odoemelam, the Parish Priest at Our Lady of Holy Rosary Parish in Torit welcomed the appointment of the new bishop. He expressed his readiness to collaborate with the new bishop.
He, however, applauded Bishop Ameyu for the good leadership he demonstrated as the Apostolic Administrator of the Torit Diocese.
“As the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese, we enjoyed your stay with us. We pray that God will continue to bless you and grant you more wisdom as you serve as the Archbishop of the Juba Diocese. We welcome the new bishop-elect, “Fr. Anthony said.
Meanwhile, Fr. Jackino Lomogo, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Torit, welcomed the announcement; saying the new bishop will work to strengthen the work of evangelization in the diocese.
He urged priests and Catholic faithful to cooperate with the new bishop in spreading the Gospel to the needy.
Magret Idwa, a parishioner at the Catholic Diocese of Torit, expressed her happiness over the announcement of the bishop-elect, saying it has been a long-awaited appointment.
“It is a joyous day, God has heard our prayers, and through your prayers as Christians in the Catholic Diocese of Torit, we are very much pleased, and we are ready as Christians to give our support to the newly appointed bishop,” Idwa said.