Priestly Formation Must Go Beyond Ordination Numbers, South Sudan Bishop Says

Bishop Edward Hiiboro Kussala of the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio in South Sudan stated that the quality of priestly formation, holiness, and commitment to service must be the priority when preparing future priests. In a reflection published October 22, the bishop cautioned against measuring the success of the Church solely by the number of ordinations.

Bishop Hiiboro described the priesthood as a sacred, lifelong vocation rather than a profession or a position of honor. He noted that the Church requires trustworthy and holy priests who follow the example of Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd.

The bishop outlined four essential dimensions for preparing candidates for ministry: human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation. He explained that human formation focuses on maturity, integrity, emotional balance, and responsible relationships, while spiritual formation centers on prayer, holiness, and intimacy with Christ.