By Peter Kuol Kuch
The Burial preparations for the Late. Bishop Nathanial Garang Anyieth who died on the 24th Feb 2026 in Nairobi Kenya is underway in Bor.
The burial Preparations started with the grave breaking at St. Andrew Cathedral in Bor. The grave breaking for Late. Bishop Nathanial was attending by the Mother’s union, Bishops within Bor dioceses, government officials in Jonglei and Christian community in Bor on Thursday.
Speaking to No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper, Maluak Deng, the Spokesperson of Jonglei internal province- Bor emphasized that the death of Late. Bishop has revealed some unity among Christian Community across South Sudan citing that Christian from other denominations have also joined in the mourning for the loss of Late. Bishop and stand in Solidarity with Episcopal Church in South Sudan.
“The late. Bishop was the loved Bishop, all the Christian community regardless of their denominations have been coming to mourn with us. It’s good, this is sign of peace, and so today it’s the preparation for the burial and today is the grave breaking.” Maluak said.
Mr. Maluak stated that the preparations for the late. Bishop’s grave should be complete first before the body is flown to Juba from Nairobi.
Meanwhile, speaking while addressing the gathering during grave breaking event, Hon. Samuel Ateny Pech, the Commissioner of Bor stated the notable contributions that late. Bishop Nathanel did during South Sudan liberation in spreading the Gospel to discouraged communities during the liberation.
“It’s obliged today to be part of this event, and it’s a blessing for those who got an opportunity to be here. May God bless us so that we burry our elder and the man of God. Let’s show unity among us.’’ Ateny said.
Hon. Ateny emphasized that the Nathanel’s legacies must be carried down to the history of Christian Community in South Sudan citing that he was a blessing to the course of South Sudan.
Late. Bishop Nathanel Garang Anyieth began his Gospel Mission in 1984 when he was consecrated as the first Diocesan Bishop of Bor. He is remembered as both a spiritual leader and a liberation figure, offering hope and resilience to South Sudanese communities during the civil war and supporting the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) through faith and unity.
He is described as the cornerstone of Faith during South Sudan liberation struggle, building many Churches for refugees during the struggle.
Following the death of Late. Bishop Nathanel last month, there arise immediately the controversy between the defrocked Bishop Akurdid Ngong, the Arch Bishop of Jonglei internal province and the South Sudan Episcopal primate Justine Badi over who should burry the late. Bishop; A controversy which was agreed through the will of family and the Deer Community where Bishop hailed; giving both Badi and Akurdit the rights to participate in the burial and tributes arrangements for the Late. Bishop Nathanel Garang.
It was greed by the Church and the Family that the body of late. Bishop would be buried at St. Andrew cathedral Bor and would be presided over by Akurdid Ngong.
The beloved wife of late. Bishop Garang also passed on last year 2025.