The Holy Father has appointed as bishop of the diocese of Rumbek, South Sudan, the Carboni Missionary Reverend Fr. Christian Carlassare, M.C.C.J., until now vicar general of the diocese of Malakal.

Msgr. Christian Carlassare, M.C.C.J., was born on October 1, 1977, in Schio, Vicenza, Italy. After primary and secondary school, he attended an orientation course at the Comboni Missionary Seminary in Thiene, Vicenza. He carried out his postulancy and philosophical studies in Florence at the Theological Faculty of Central Italy, and his novitiate in Venegono Superiore, Varese. He was awarded a baccalaureate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University (2000-2003) and a baccalaureate in missiology from the Pontifical Urban University (2003-2004) in Rome.

He made his solemn profession in Rome in 2003 and was ordained a priest on September 4, 2004.

After ordination, he attended an English language course (2004-2005) and went to South Sudan to learn the Nuer language at the Holy Trinity Parish, Old Fangak County (2005-2006). He subsequently held the following positions: vicar (2006-2007) and parish priest of the same parish in Jonglei State (2007-2016); member of the Secretariat of Animation of Vocations and Basic Formation (2011-2019); provincial councilor of the Comboni Missionaries, South Sudan (2012-2019); secretary of the Provincial Council of the Comboni Missionaries (2014-2016); vice provincial in South Sudan (2017-2019); and promoter of vocations and director of the orientation course (pre-Postulancy) for the Comboni Missionaries in Moroyok (Juba) (2017-2020). From 2020 until the present he has served as vicar general of the diocese of Malakal.

Comboni Missionaries have been living with the Nuer people for almost twenty-five years. They have been entrusted with the pastoral care of Saint Joseph the Worker’s Parish in Leer, which is under the Diocese of Malakal. This parish comprises four counties: Leer, Mayiendit, Panyijiar, and Koch all within Unity State. Their pastoral priorities: formation of leaders, education, youth, and women.