VP Nyandeng, Kuol Manyang Join mourners to Honour Late Bishop Nathaniel Garang

2026-03-30 - 12:44

Senior government officials joined mourners at Juba International Airport to pay their respects to the late Bishop Nathaniel Garang Anyieth, whose body arrived from Kenya this morning. Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior and Presidential Advisor Kuol Manyang Juuk were among those who took part in the solemn procession, alongside other leaders and members of the public. Bishop Nathaniel Garang Anyieth, a former Archbishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Bor, died in February in Nairobi after a long illness. A long line of faithful escorted his body from the airport to All Saints Cathedral in Juba, marking the beginning of funeral rites for one of South Sudan’s most respected church leaders. His return comes weeks after tensions within the Episcopal Church of South Sudan over who should preside over his funeral and burial. The disagreement involved church leadership led by Primate Justin Badi Arama and former Bishop of Jonglei Internal Province Akurdit Ngong Akurdit. After the primate announced his death and began funeral arrangements on February 24, Bishop Akurdit, who was dismissed by Justin Badi Arama but refused to relinquish his role, said he would instead preside over the burial of the late church leader. Primate Badi Arama had dismissed and replaced Akurdit in 2020, accusing him of disobedience after creating additional dioceses in the province. Following days of tension and public criticism, an agreement was reached on separate funeral arrangements. The first ceremony will be held at All Saints Cathedral in Juba and led by Primate Badi Arama during the reception of the remains from Kenya. The second will involve the transfer of the body to Bor, the capital of Jonglei State, where Bishop Akurdit will preside over the funeral and final burial, according to the agreed timetable. Born in 1940 in Werkok Village, Makuach Payam of Bor County in Jonglei State, Bishop Nathaniel Garang was widely respected for his spiritual leadership and service to the church. He began his primary education at Akol Ajak Bush in 1954 before continuing at Malek Primary School in 1957. After pursuing theological studies in 1974, he was ordained as a pastor in 1975 and later consecrated as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Bor in 1984. His consecration marked a historic milestone, as he became the first South Sudanese to lead a diocese previously dominated by foreign missionaries. He was at one time referred to as the “lost bishop” after failing to attend the Lambeth Conference in 1988, having lost contact with the outside world following the outbreak of the second civil war in Sudan. After fleeing Bor, he lived and ministered in isolation for several years until 1990, when he reconnected with the outside world. Bishop Nathaniel retired in 2011 after nearly 30 years of service as Bishop of Bor Diocese. In 2023, he received the Alphege Award for Evangelism and Witness in recognition of his contribution to the church during the 21 years of civil war in Sudan, where he converted thousands to Christianity from atheist and animist communities. He is the first South Sudanese bishop to receive the award for evangelism and his work in the church.