Despite the harsh conditions of war that have persisted in Sudan for nearly two years, Christians in this African country, along with their pastors, strive to live out their faith and celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 in their own way amid the horrors of conflict.

Christians in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, face the sounds of gunfire and explosions with hymns and prayers that rise, proclaiming their steadfastness in their homeland despite the ravages of war that have plagued the country since April 2023.

Experiencing Their Hope

While Catholic Christians worldwide celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025, Sudanese Christians are experiencing their own unwavering hope and the presence of God accompanying them amidst the disasters of war, pain, and suffering—including illness, hunger, thirst, persecution, and death.

They find a sign of God's presence in the clergy, monks, nuns, missionaries, and consecrated servants among them, who support their resilience and provide for their spiritual and physical needs, as though God's hand is upholding them and fulfilling their needs—even as some are forced to leave due to the dire circumstances of war.

Fathers Thomas Paul and Lawrence Oboro from the Catholic Diocese of Khartoum, along with Father Dr. Yousef William from the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus (MCCJ), serve the faithful in the capital, who view their presence as an active and fruitful symbol of love and a living testimony to embodying Gospel values, which are desperately needed.

Nourished by the Sacraments

Under the guidance of Bishops Michael Didi and Yunan Tombe, the Catholic Church in Sudan offers its spiritual services to its faithful. The priests administer the sacraments to their believers, providing comfort and support during a time of urgent need for living out the sacraments, especially the initiation rites.

As life continues to defy the death left by wars, the Church keeps up its activities, rejuvenated by the spiritual rebirth that comes with each new approach to the sacrament of baptism. Despite persecution and facing the threat of death, priests continue visiting parishes, encouraging their members, and instilling hope in their hearts. They strive to ensure that the suffering Church in Sudan remains connected to the universal Church, sharing the joy of hope with the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.

I hope That Does Not Disappoint

Despite its pain and the suffering caused by war, the Church in Sudan endeavors to live out the spiritual meanings of the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025, embodying its slogan, "Hope does not disappoint," through faith and joy on the ground. Its members unite in prayer with their fellow believers around the world. With the same hope, Sudanese Christians celebrate the Jubilee Year, confident that the grace of the Jubilee will accompany them on their journey as pilgrims of hope, witnessing Christ's presence in their country and steadfastly hoping for peace to prevail.