Bishop-Elect Christian Carlassare is Recovering and Forgives the Gunmen who Shot him, "Please, let us be united in prayer. Let us be united with all our hearts, to uphold forgiveness in our community ..."

Bishop-elect Christian Carlassare, of Rumbek, in South Sudan, sends a message of forgiveness and prayer. The Comboni Missionary Msgr. Christian Carlassare was shot in his legs by gunman who entered his residence. He is now recovering well in hospital. 

He said, “It will take some time for my legs to be able again to walk. But I assure you that I will be back and I will be with you. Please, let us be united in prayer. Let us be united with all our hearts, to uphold forgiveness in our community and to be able to seek for justice with the same heart of God. It is a merciful heart that can teach peace and can teach mercy.” 

During the night of April 25 to 26, 2021, he was attacked. 

He received medical care at the hospital of Rumbek, run by CUAMM - Doctors with Africa, then was transferred to Nairobi in Kenya for further care. He recorded a video message in English, addressed to the Rumbek Catholic community, posted on the Comboni Missionaries website, the bishop says: "I take this opportunity to greet each one of you, brothers and sisters in Rumbek. I am well and I am improving. It will take me some time to walk on my own legs again, but I am sure I will return to be with you. Please let us remain united in prayer and ready for forgiveness in our community. Seek justice with the same heart of God, that is, a merciful heart that can teach peace, mercy towards each person, because these values are present in the depths of the heart of each of us. Even if I am far away, I feel united with you, let us remain united in this process of reconciliation".