Malakal Catholic Bishop visits historic Katire village in Eastern Equatoria

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Malakal, Dr Stephen Nyadho, has visited Katire, a historic village in Eastern Equatoria State, during an apostolic journey from Torit.

The visit took place on Thursday, November 12, ahead of the conclusion of the 52nd Plenary Assembly of the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Torit.

In a Facebook post published on Friday, November 13, South Sudanese academic Dr James Okuk said Bishop Nyadho’s journey, initially expected to take two hours, lasted seven hours because of poor and slippery road conditions following rainfall.

Okuk also highlighted the historical connection between Katire and Auxiliary Bishop Santo Lako Pio of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Juba, who was born and received his primary education in the village.

According to Okuk, Bishop Lako’s father served in the area as an electrical and forestry technician from 1956 onwards, contributing to the planting of teak trees, bamboo and fruit trees.

He said the tree-planting activities continued particularly during the period of the Regional Government established under the 1972 Addis Ababa Agreement.

Okuk described the local community as joyful over the visit and highlighted Katire’s natural environment and location about 10 kilometres from the Ugandan border.

However, he lamented the limited development of rural communities despite their natural potential, citing the effects of war and inadequate decentralised development.

“South Sudan is a special place on Earth despite the effects of war and lack of decentralized development!” Okuk wrote.