The Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba, Santo Loku Pio, during the Requiem Mass on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at St. Theresa’s Cathedral in Kator - Credit: Eye Radio

JUBA, South Sudan (Eye Radio) — The Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba, Santo Loku Pio, told mourners at the Requiem Mass for Emmanuel Joseph Akile that the loss of a journalist effectively silences the very voice of the people.

Speaking with characteristic boldness on Saturday at St. Theresa’s Cathedral, the Bishop defined journalism as a divine vocation—one comparable to the mission of the Archangel Gabriel—while calling for greater transparency regarding the circumstances of Akile’s passing.

Emmanuel Akile passed away on December 30, 2025, following a brief illness and complications from a medical operation. A devoted Catholic throughout his life, Akile was laid to rest on Saturday at his mother’s residence in Gurei, Juba, surrounded by family, colleagues, and the listeners he served for over a decade.

In a stirring homily that moved the congregation at Kator, Bishop Santo reflected on the life of the Dawn Show presenter, framing his career not just as a job, but as a divine manifestation of God’s work.

“The death of a journalist is the death of a voice—the voice of the people,” Bishop Santo declared.

“Journalists are vital to our society. Consider someone like Emmanuel Akile, who would rise in the early hours of the morning when he should have been enjoying sleep. He woke up, took to the airwaves, and made the studio his living room. Why did he do that, and for whom? He did it for the people.”

The First Journalist: Angel Gabriel

The Bishop drew a powerful parallel between the media profession and the Gospel of Luke. “I have always said the first journalist was the Angel Gabriel,” the Bishop told the congregation. “As we read in Luke 1:26-38, it was Gabriel who was sent by God to the Virgin Mary to bring the greatest news of all—that she would give birth to a son called Emmanuel, the one who brings salvation to the world.”

He noted that just as we celebrate Christmas because a messenger brought the word of God to man, the process of journalism is inherently attached to God’s manifestation. “This is journalism. It is Godly. This must stay in your minds and your hearts—that your work is a vocation for God.”

Seeking Truth and Transparency

While the congregation gathered to celebrate Akile’s life, Bishop Santo addressed the troubling details of the medical report. He noted that the veteran journalist passed away following a surgical procedure where his “stomach was opened” in the operating theatre. According to the official report, Akile suffered cardiac arrest triggered by hypoxia shortly after being returned from the theatre.

“The question we are asking is how Emmanuel Akile died,” the Bishop stated. “They said the death is cardiac arrest due to hypoxia—a lack of enough oxygen to vital organs. If he had just come from the theater, who blocked the oxygen? What was the problem? These are the questions the people are asking.”

The Vocation of Truth

Bishop Santo reminded the media fraternity that their work is not merely a job, but a calling from the Almighty. “I want to tell you, and I keep telling you: journalism is a vocation. It is a vocation for God. Without that calling, you cannot succeed. Even in the face of the difficulties we see in our country today, the advancement of technology makes it more compelling than ever that we know what is happening in our families, our communities, and our nation.”

A Warning to Those Who Hide the Truth

In a direct message to those who attempt to restrict the flow of information, the Bishop noted that the era of hiding the truth is over. “Some people do not want the public to know what is happening. They believe journalists should not talk to certain people, or that some should be cut off from information entirely. But the world has developed. With today’s technology, you can no longer hide information from the public.”

The Bishop concluded by urging the media fraternity to remain resilient, honoring Akile’s legacy by continuing to serve as a light in the darkness.