For last 40 years the Salesians journey with the young people and the minority Catholic community in this country. The Extraordinary Visitor, Fr Václav Klement, met all 13 Salesians who are now serving the Sudanese youth in 3 communities - one Parish with more than 25.000 faithful and 8 parish primary schools; two Vocation training centers (El Obeid and Khartoum) catering to some 800 youth, mostly non-Christians. Recently opened El Obeid Don Bosco Primary school is another sign of new spring.
The Extraordinary Visitation is a time of reconnecting to the 'rest' of the Salesian world. It's true especially in Sudan, where even the Provincial is able to come only once during this 6 year term and during the previous extraordinary visitation (2016), the Regional Councillor was not able even to enter this country.
Connecting with the Arabic speaking Salesians, from Middle East Province, and their Salesian resources in this language spoken in Sudan, connecting to the necessary supporting agencies, as well to the other 28 communities of AFE province. The presence of two Salesian Brothers from South Korea, who dedicate few months to the maintenance of mechanics workshop in Khartoum, is another visible sign of Salesian solidarity.
Future of the Salesian mission in Sudan are vocations. While thanking God for two Sudanese priests and 15 young Salesians, one novice and 9 aspirants on their vocation journey, two SDB aspirants in El Obeid and two FMA aspirants in Khartoum are the most visible sign of our future.
There are many invitations from the bishops, especially to the Nuba Mountain region, a Catholic and Christian stronghold of Sudan (near El Obeid). The Catholic community in Sudan is still suffering the unstable situation after the independence of South Sudan: major seminary in Khartoum is now an empty building, while the Juba major seminary in war-thorn South Sudan is fully operational. The flow of refugees - after 2011 from the North to the South, and few years later due to the civil war in the South also in the opposite direction, affects the fragile Catholic communities as well.
However, the small flock of Jesus is very much united, the family spirit and unity among the religious and diocesan clergy is strongly felt: with bimonthly vocation events in El Obeid organized by the diocese in joint venture with the religious or with one Khartoum diocesan priest spending his sabbatical year among the boys of the Vocation Training Center and between two SDB Khartoum communities.
“The Salesian Family of Sudan is requesting your prayers!” Fr Klement finally states.
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