The Bishop of the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, has urged the faithful in Western Equatoria State to embrace gratitude, love, and eternal hope. In his birthday message, Barani Hiiboro reflected on the blessings he has received through the prayers and kindness of his community, describing them as “a thousand voices of blessing, some spoken, some written, many whispered in the silence of prayer, all wrapped in the gentle jewellery of love.”

In his message, Barani Hiiboro emphasised that love is the visible presence of God among his people. “Where love is given, God is present, and today I have touched that presence abundantly,” he declared, acknowledging the support of family, friends, and parishioners who have accompanied him in his pastoral journey.

The bishop’s prayer carried a strong pastoral appeal for the salvation of all souls. “Let none be lost. Let none walk in darkness forever. Let none taste the sorrow of eternal separation,” he prayed, asking God to grant eternal peace and joy to all who have touched his life.

Bishop Hiiboro concluded with a blessing for the faithful, promising to keep them in his prayers and expressing his deepest gratitude: “Those who give love never lose; they become eternity in motion. With a heart full beyond words, I thank you, I bless you, and I carry you in my prayers.”

The birthday celebration highlighted Bishop Hiiboro’s enduring commitment to his flock, blending personal thanksgiving with a national call for compassion, unity, and faith in God’s eternal promise.

Who is Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala?

Bishop Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala is the Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio in South Sudan. Born on March 23, 1964, in Source Yubu Payam, he was appointed bishop by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008.

A staunch advocate for peace, reconciliation, and education, he often calls for an end to violence in South Sudan and beyond, supporting community development and advocating for the poor.

Bishop Kussala holds an MA in bioethics in addition to government politics and international relations and a PhD in moral theology. He is the author of several articles and three books.

His latest book, Reconciliation, Healing and Peace in South Sudan: Reflections on the Way Forward, focuses on the importance of learning from the mistakes of the past to prevent them from happening again in the future.