South Sudan: Carmelite nuns attacked on Torit-Juba road

Two Carmelite nuns, Sister Helen and Sister Ansa, were attacked by bandits while traveling from Torit to Juba in South Sudan on Sunday, August 30. The group was returning from morning Mass when their vehicle was intercepted.

During the robbery, one of the assailants struck Sister Helen in the head with a rifle butt, causing a head injury that required medical attention. The bandits robbed all passengers of their money and personal belongings. Initial reports suggested that two children may have been abducted during the incident.

Following the attack, Bishop Emmanuel Bernardino Lowi Napeta of Torit organized assistance to transport the sisters toward the capital. Sister Helen has since received medical care in Juba. This specific route has a history of violence; in August 2021, two other religious sisters were murdered on the same road.