Italian-born Bishop designate Christian Carlassare, who was shot by gunmen in Rumbek, South Sudan, speaks from a hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, in a video message posted April 28, on Twitter. While Bishop-designate Christian Carlassare already has forgiven his attackers, he said finding the truth about why he was shot in the legs at his home in Rumbek, South Sudan, will help achieve reconciliation.
The Italian-born bishop-designate, 43, was responding to news that three local priests were among the 12 people arrested for their possible involvement in the attack April 26. Local reports say lay members of the local church community were also among those arrested.
“Only the truth, even if it is painful, will be able to point out what choices we will have to make. It is a great suffering for the Church, perhaps necessary for building something on a clean foundation,” he said in an interview April 29 with Avvenire, the daily newspaper of the Italian bishops’ conference.
Arrested
One of the priests who was arrested was Fr John Matiang, who had administered the Diocese of Rumbek for the past nine years. The diocese had been without a bishop since the death in 2011 of Bishop Cesare Mazzolari, an Italian-born Comboni missionary, like the new bishop-designate.
Hearing there was evidence pointing to the involvement of members of his diocese, Bishop-designate Carlassare told Avvenire, “now we just have to let the investigations continue. It is a very sad story,” he said, but if it turns out church members are guilty, then the local church will have to repent and recognise its responsibility.
“Now the truth,” he said. “Let the light shine on the ambush for bringing about reconciliation.”
Education and evangelisation are essential for building “a community that is not held hostage to violence”, he said, adding that he intends to return to his diocese as soon as possible to help promote “another step forward” on the path to peace.
Bishop-designate Carlassare, who has been ministering in South Sudan since 2005, said he is convinced that dialogue will help resolve what is a complicated and difficult situation.
The attack occurred shortly after midnight April 26 when two gunmen entered his residence, shot at the door of his room, then fired four bullets into his legs.
