- svd-generalate
- / Fr. General's Visit
- / Fr. Anselmo R. Ribeiro / Superior General
In the provisional and precarious shelter, the Divine Word makes His dwelling.
It was there that we pitched our tent—becoming one with the people and letting the light of Christ shine. That was also where I decided to make my first official visit.
The colors, smiles, and vibrant music of African cultures easily draw you in. There were 46 communities, of which 30 were refugees. On January 15, a new parish was established, dedicated to Saint Arnold Janssen. Currently, five confreres serve in this vast area, engaging in pastoral and sacramental work, and offering education, psychological care, and social support.
To be honest, it took me some time to truly grasp the reality of the situation and what exile meant for millions—at least 300,000 of whom live in the Bidibidi settlement. When I visited the parish center and met the local Ugandan population, they all sang, danced, smiled, and prayed. It was only then that I noticed the difference between their joyful celebration and that of the refugees. How could the refugees sing their songs in a foreign land (Psalm 137:1–4), even though my visit called for a festive celebration?
Forced migration due to war not only strips people of their land and place of origin, but also shatters the social fabric of entire communities. Different ethnic groups are forced together. Traditional clan leadership has disappeared. The division of labor—where men and women once had clearly defined roles—can no longer be maintained, as many men were killed in the war, leaving their wives responsible for everything. Hundreds of children have grown up never knowing their homeland, and many more were born in the camp. The trauma of persecution, violence, and death remains ever-present.
The confreres who have been there since 2016 share the same fate as the people—they too are refugees. In their own words, they left their hearts in South Sudan and still hope to return to the land they call home.
For local leaders, the presence of our missionaries has greatly improved their quality of life. Since their arrival, different groups have come together to form a unified community. Languages and customs have blended, allowing hope to grow alongside the building of parish structures. Tents have been replaced by homes. Churches and Eucharistic centers have been built, thanks to the generosity of our benefactors. The local Church has been enriched by the unexpected presence of missionaries, and the refugees themselves have become a blessing. With the gradual openness of Ugandan communities, a parish was established. Even if all the refugees were to return to their country, the SVD presence is now a lasting reality in Lodonga, in the Diocese of Arua. Vocations to religious life in the SVD are already beginning to emerge.
I was unable to travel to South Sudan as originally planned. The political and social conditions still do not provide the safety required for such a journey. Reconciliation and peace in the country are still fragile. But in Bidibidi, I met South Sudanese people. For them—and for our confreres—the dream of returning to their homeland remains alive. Two confreres are ready to restart the mission in the Diocese of Yei, South Sudan, beginning with what is left: abandoned structures, scattered communities, and all the uncertainties of a nation still being rebuilt.
To summarize this brief visit to the SSD-Uganda mission: the decision of our confreres to seek refuge alongside their communities is a clear sign that the light of Christ continues to shine where there is pain and suffering. Bidibidi is our mission. Though it is a place of impermanence and hardship, it is precisely there that the Divine Word chose to pitch His tent—among the people—just as our missionaries have done.
Anselmo Ribeiro, SVD
Father General
