NAS Chairman condoles death of Archbishop Paolino Lukudu, urges South Sudanese to honour and emulate the life of one of the greatest men of our lifetime
In a message of condolences to the family of His Grace Archbishop Paolino Lukudu Loro who passed away in Nairobi, Kenya on Monday, April 5, 2021, General Thomas Cirillo, the Chairman and C-in-C of the National Salvation Front (NAS) urged the people “not to grieve too much but rather to celebrate, honour and emulate the life of one of the greatest men of our lifetime”.
Addressing the message to the family, the Catholic Church in South Sudan and Sudan, the Christian Community in South Sudan and the entire people of South Sudan, Gen Thomas Cirillo said the death of the Archbishop is “a great loss of a church leader, a national icon and a freedom fighter”.
a great loss of a church leader, a national icon and a freedom fighter – one of the greatest men of our lifetime
“During the time and at the peak of the brutal Islamic regime in Sudan that terrorized, massacred and humiliated the people and the Church in Southern Sudan and Sudan, His Grace Archbishop Paolino Lukudu Loro was the voice of the voiceless, confronting the leadership of the evil system with the truth without any fear for his life.
“After the independence of South Sudan, His Grace Archbishop Paolino Lukudu Loro continued to be the voice of the oppressed and voiceless people of South Sudan who this time have become the victims of oppression and subjugation from their own brothers and sisters. He never feared nor minced his words when addressing and advising the leaders of South Sudan against leading the country into the wrong path of evil, war, killings, rapes, looting and many other vices,” the statement continued.
Gen Thomas Cirillo went on to urge the people of South Sudan to honour and emulate the life of one of the greatest sons of South Sudan.
“In the passing of His Grace Archbishop Paolino Lukudu Loro, I call on the people of South Sudan not to grieve too much but rather to celebrate, honour and emulate the life of one of the greatest men in our lifetime who lived and served among us. The life and service of His Grace Paolino Lukudu Loro should serve as an inspiration to all our youth, women and leaders to serve our people with love, wisdom, courage and dignity; defending the poor and the oppressed at all times.”
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Message of Condolences
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
The Leadership of the National Salvation Front(NAS) received with great shock and grief the news of the untimely passing of His Grace Paolino Lukudu Loro, Emeritus Archbishop of Juba Archdiocese, which occurred on 5th April 2021 in Nairobi, Kenya.
On behalf of the leadership, members and supporters of the National Salvation Front (NAS), I convey heartfelt condolences to the family of His Grace Archbishop Paolino Lukudu Loro, the Catholic Church in South Sudan and Sudan, the Christian Community in South Sudan and the entire people of South Sudan for this great loss of a church leader, a national icon and a freedom fighter.
At a relatively young age, the mantle of leadership was placed on the shoulders of His Grace Archbishop Paolino Lukudu Loro with the responsibility to lead the Church at a very critical time in the Sudan; he carried out his leadership role with dedication, humility and sacrifice. He was the Apostolic Administrator and later Bishop of El-Obeid in Sudan, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba, President of Sudan Catholic Bishop’s Conference and played many leading Ecumenical roles in the quest for peace in the Sudan.
His Grace Archbishop Paolino Lukudu Loro lived and served true to his calling to serve God and mankind with love, wisdom, courage and dignity. He was a national hero, a true leader of the Church and the people; the shepherd that guided and fearlessly protected his flock from all threats and dangers. He never let down his people until his demise. Like many of his clerical contemporary leaders in Africa such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, His Grace Archbishop Lukudu had the conviction that preaching the word of God is inseparable from preaching the values of freedom, justice, equality and uphold of the dignity of the people.
During the time and at the peak of the brutal Islamic regime in Sudan that terrorized, massacred and humiliated the people and the Church in Southern Sudan and the Sudan, His Grace Archbishop Paolino Lukudu Loro was the voice of the voiceless, confronting the leadership of the evil system with the truth without any fear for his life. He played a great role supporting the internal struggle of the people of South Sudan spiritually, morally and materially.
After the independence of South Sudan, His Grace Archbishop Paolino Lukudu Loro continued to be the voice of the oppressed and voiceless people of South Sudan who this time have become the victims of oppression and subjugation from their own brothers and sisters. He never feared nor minced his words when addressing and advising the leaders of South Sudan against leading the country into the wrong path of evil, war, killings, rapes, looting and many other vices. He continuously prayed and advised the leadership of South Sudan to pursue peace and harmony among all the people of the country.
In the passing of His Grace Archbishop Paolino Lukudu Loro, I call on the people of South Sudan not to grieve too much but rather to celebrate, honour and emulate the life of one of the greatest men in our lifetime who lived and served among us. The life and service of His Grace Paolino Lukudu Loro should serve as an inspiration to all our youth, women and leaders to serve our people with love, wisdom, courage and dignity; defending the poor and the oppressed at all times.
A bright light has been extinguished, the Church has lost a true leader, South Sudan has lost a man of peace, humanity has lost a good man!
May the Almighty God rest the Soul of His Grace Archbishop Paolino Lukudu Loro in Eternal Peace.
[Signed] 9thApril 2021
Gen.Thomas Cirillo Swaka
Chairman and Commander-in-Chief
National Salvation Front/Army (NAS)
