Christian Carlassare, Bishop-elect of Rumbek Catholic Diocese arrived in Juba today Friday - Courtesy

The Bishop-elect of Rumbek Catholic Diocese who was shot and wounded last year has returned to the country ready to work for peace and serve the church.

Christian Carlassare was shot in April last year by gunmen at his residence in Rumbek town of Lakes State.

The incident occurred barely two weeks into his ordination.

Carlassare was then transferred to Nairobi, Kenya where spent months on treatment before he was discharged in June 2021.

The motive of the attack at the time was unclear.

However, following the incident, Police arrested 35 people in connection with the shooting.

Early this month, the high court slapped criminal charges against four suspects and acquitted two others accused of the crime.

This morning, Bishop Christian Carlassare arrived in Juba with his parents ahead of his installation as the Bishop of Rumbek Catholic Diocese next weekend.

Speaking upon his arrival at Juba International Airport, Bishop-elect Christian Carlassare said he is ready to work for peace and serve the church.

“I am grateful to be back today after almost one year that I was out, so my gratitude to God first of all to this country, the universal church in Rome and local church in South Sudan with all the bishops of this country,” Bishop-elect said.

“All the people who are Christians and believe in church and wish peace that are welcoming me back today are a great joy. I am grateful to the government, the local government of the Lakes state and the national government for the common efforts with the church to make this day possible.

“I am really happy to be adopted by this country and to be brother to everyone and to exclude no one but to serve everyone in this community that welcomes and makes me a brother.”

Last week, the Bishop-elect met with Pope Francis in Rome ahead of his consecration.

Carlassare, an Italian Comboni priest was elected on March 8, 2021 as the bishop of the Diocese of Rumbek.

The diocese had for 10 years without a Bishop.