AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN - Catholic University: A Sign of Hope in South Sudan

by Javier Trapero

Rumbek (Agenzia Fides) - When we talk about South Sudan, the focus is usually on conflicts and humanitarian crises. But in this country, one also senses the energy and dynamism of young people who want to build a better future for their country.

At the Catholic University of South Sudan in Rumbek, "transformation" is promoted. The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus pay special attention to the most vulnerable, with a particular focus on the education of women, convinced that education is the key to a more prosperous country. The university represents a concrete opportunity to overcome the crisis South Sudan continues to face.

The challenges, however, are enormous. The most serious is currently the civil war in Sudan, which is having devastating consequences: many parishes, schools, and clinics have had to close. In some areas, priests, religious, and lay people continue to work for their communities despite the growing danger. They refuse to abandon the people, even if it means enduring extreme hardship: to reach some parishes, one must travel three days in a small canoe, sleep under a mosquito net on makeshift islands, and then walk for two days. Often, a priest only manages to visit a parish once a year, if not less frequently, making local catechists key figures in the life of the Church. In South Sudan, the Church truly consists of "living stones" who build a spiritual house day by day.

Meanwhile, the country's education system is fragile: primary and secondary schools offer only a very low level of education. The Catholic University of South Sudan is trying to reverse this trend by offering high-quality education thanks to expert teachers and internship programs in Catholic institutions such as Loreto or La Salle.


The University's first graduates have already made a difference in their communities. Among them are many women who are the first in their families to complete higher education and return to their villages as teachers, social workers, nurses, and other skilled workers. These young women not only improve their lives but also transform the social fabric, help overcome prejudices about women's education, and offer new perspectives for the future.

Classes are held in the afternoons, with an intensive study program so that students can support their families or work to support themselves in the mornings. The University offers three programs: Business Administration and Management, Education with a specialization in English and English Literature and Commerce, Religious Education and Citizenship.
The annual tuition fee is $120, but the Sacred Heart Missionaries offer financial assistance to students who cannot afford it.

The campus is accessible to all: the facilities have been designed to be accessible, including wheelchair-accessible restrooms. The only requirements for studying here is determination and passion.

The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart work with dedication to make a tangible difference in people's lives so that they can build a more solid and dignified future for themselves and their country. (Agenzia Fides, 29/3/2025)

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