Photo: Gathered in Yambio on April 9 were (from left to right) the retired Primate of South Sudan Daniel Deng Bul (tallest), Yambio’s Archbishop Samuel Peni, Archbishop and Primate Justin Badi Arama (in white) and Archbishop Paul Yugusuk of Central Equatoria Internal Province (in white); women leaders including Mama Joyce Badi and Mama Aida Peni; Bishop Wilson Kamani of Ibba (leaning forward) with Abraham Nhial of Aweil Diocese; and the Governor of Western Equatoria State.
by Samuel Enosa Peni, Archbishop of Yambio Internal Province, South Sudan
Our celebrations took place April 9 to 11, marking exactly 100 years of the All Saints Cathedral building in Yambio. Despite political uncertainty in the country, over 10,000 people attended, including Internal Archbishops and bishops from South Sudan, as well as guests from Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda. We had invited about 20,000 people, but some friends from the region, US, UK, and other invited visitors declined, due to the uncertainty.
This three-day event saw believers from all over South Sudan coming to celebrate the goodness of the Lord. A verse from Ephesians 2:8, “By grace we have come this far,” guided our celebrations. We reflected on the grace of God in the 100 years All Saints Cathedral has been in existence. We wait expectantly to see where God takes us in the next 100 years , and the impact All Saints Cathedral will have in the lives of the people of Yambio and Western Equatoria State at large.
We were privileged to have with us the Primate of South Sudan the Most Reverend Dr. Justin Badi Arama, as well as the former Primate of Sudan and South Sudan, Daniel Deng Bul.
”To God be the glory!”