Below is the telegram of condolence on the killing of two religious sisters of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart by armed attackers on Sunday, August 15, in South Sudan, sent on behalf of the Holy Father Francis by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to Msgr. Mark Kadima, of the apostolic nunciature in South Sudan.
The two sisters were killed following an ambush on the road that connects the South Sudanese capital Juba to Nimule, on the border with Uganda. The nuns, along with some sisters and several faithful, were returning to Juba after participating in the celebration of the centenary of the establishment of the parish of Loa, in the diocese of Torit, where the church is dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption. They were traveling on a bus that was attacked by armed men. Local sources reported that Sister Mary, Sister Regina, and three other people were killed as a result of the assault.
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Telegram
MONSIGNOR MARK KADIMA
CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES, A.I.
APOSTOLIC NUNCIATURE IN SOUTH SUDAN JUBA
HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS WAS DEEPLY SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE BRUTAL ATTACK ON A GROUP OF SISTERS OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS LAST SUNDAY, RESULTING IN THE DEATHS OF SISTER MARY ABUD AND SISTER REGINA ROBA. HE OFFERS HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO THEIR FAMILIES AND TO THEIR RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY IN THE WAKE OF THIS SENSELESS ACT OF VIOLENCE. TRUSTING THAT THEIR SACRIFICE WILL ADVANCE THE CAUSE OF PEACE, RECONCILIATION AND SECURITY IN THE REGION, HIS HOLINESS PRAYS FOR THEIR ETERNAL REST AND THE COMFORT OF THOSE WHO GRIEVE THEIR LOSS. INVOKING UPON ALL TAKING PART IN THE MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL THE CONSOLATION AND STRENGTH OF THE RISEN LORD, VICTOR OVER SIN AND DEATH, THE HOLY FATHER CORDIALLY IMPARTS HIS APOSTOLIC BLESSING.
CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN SECRETARY OF STATE
