The Holy Father Pope Francis on Wednesday appointed Fr. Matthew Remijio Adam Gbitiku, a member of the Comboni Missionaries, the new bishop for South Sudan's Wau Diocese.

Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla who has been serving as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Wau read the appointment letter signed by Chargé d’Affaire at the Juba Nunciature, Mons. Mark Kadima, before a congregation at the cathedral in Wau.

"On behalf of the apostolic nuncio Archbishop Bert Van Megan, I wish to inform you that the Holy Father, Pope Francis has today on the 18th of November 2020, appointed Rev. Father Mathew Remijio Adam as the new Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wau in South Sudan. In the meantime united with all of you, we assure you Bishop Remijio our prayers and every blessing for the success in this new responsibility," Bishop Ameyu announced.

Until his appointment, the 48-year-old Bishop-elect has been the Vice-Rector and Bursar of the International Theologate of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus in Nairobi.

The head of the catholic church appointed Bishop Ameyu, who is the Archbishop of Juba and the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Torit as the Apostolic Administrator of Wau in September pending the appointment of a new bishop.

Bishop Ameyu replaced Reverend Father Marko Mungu who was appointed administrator of Wau Diocese in 2017 after the death of Bishop Rudolf Deng Majak.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, the catholic faithful in Wau expressed happiness after the announcement saying it is good news to the diocese and the people of Wau in general.