By Alan Clement
Eastern Equatoria State Governor, Louis Lobong Lojore has called for the creation of more Catholic dioceses in the state, citing the vast size of Eastern Equatoria.
The Governor made the call on Tuesday August 19th, 2025 during a state dinner hosted in honor of the Catholic Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan, the official representative of Pope Francis and the Vatican at the State House in Torit.
“Our State is vast, and the Catholic population is growing. While other denominations have more than four bishops, the universal Church must consider establishing additional dioceses,” Lobong stated in a statement.
During the event which marked the Vatican envoy’s first official visit to Eastern Equatoria since his appointment and attended by senior government officials, church leaders, and community representatives, Lobong praised the Catholic Church for its role in spiritual guidance and social services across the state pledging logistical support to newly ordained priests and financial recognition to newly ordained deacons.
“The Catholic Church has been a pillar in shaping the moral and social life of our people,” Lobong said adding, “We are grateful for the Church’s presence and its service to our people. We will continue to support its mission, especially in remote areas.”
Honoring the Catholic Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan underscored growing collaboration between the Catholic Church and the State in addressing spiritual and social needs across the region,
In his address, the Apostolic Nuncio thanked the Governor for the dinner, saying such gatherings strengthen ties between the state and the Church. “When the Church and the Government work together, service delivery becomes more effective because both institutions serve the same people,” he said while expressing his admiration of the state’s mountainous landscape pledging to visit communities across the state to “be close to the faithful.”
Bishop Emmanuel Lowi of the Catholic Diocese of Torit reintroduced the Apostolic Nuncio to Church leaders and noted that the envoy’ intention to tour the state. He also echoed the Governor’s call for subdividing the Diocese of Torit into more dioceses to meet the needs of the faithful.
State Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Margaret Idwa Okuye, who spoke on behalf of the state government, advocated for the creation of a diocese in Greater Kapoeta. “The Catholic faithful in our region are many and deserve more shepherds to provide pastoral care,” she said.