Sunday 24th September, 2000.

Fr James William Silgat is a Parish priest from the Diocese of El Obeid.

Q -   You were ordained priest in April, 1995 in the diocese of El Obeid. What have been your commitments so far and what is your present commitment?
A -   As soon as I was ordained, I was assigned as parish priest in Kadugli for four years and now I have been transferred to a new parish called El Dian, West side of the Diocese.

Q -   El Dain was established recently as a parish. Can you tell us to whom it is dedicated and also something about the parishioners?
A -   El Dain is dedicated to St Bakhita and the parishioners are displaced people coming mostly from the South.

Q -   How large is the parish?
A -   El Dain covers two provinces - El Dain itself and Adila. It is about 160 km East of Nyala Parish.

Q -   How long does it take you to visit all the centres?
A -   As I said, the parish is large, and we have 52 centres in all. It takes roughly a whole week to visit all the centres, one after another.

Q -   How far away is one centre from another?
A -   The nearest centre is around 30 km away from the Parish house, which is equivalent to about half an hour by car. The most distant one is about 5 to 6 hours driving.

Q -   How do you manage to keep the faith alive in your parish? Who helps you in such a difficult task?
A -   Each parish has a part-time catechist. We therefore have 52 catechists and these are in charge of each centre instead of me.

Q -   How often do you visit each community?
A -   Since the parish is very large, I can visit each centre approximately every month.  

Q -   When you visit a centre, how long do you stay?
A -   In ordinary cases I just stay for some hours. When I arrive I say Mass, hear confessions and then spend some time meeting the people or holding a parish council meeting.  

Q -   Are you the only priest in your parish?
A -   At first we were two priests, but soon after the parish was established, the Bishop moved the other priest to another parish. I have   a deacon with me.  

Q -   If you happen to run into some particular difficulty, which is the nearest parish where you can go?
A -   Nyala is the nearest parish and it is about 400 km away from where I stay.  

Q -   In Sudan, it is customary to baptise the catechumens during the Easter Vigil Mass. How many baptisms did you administer last Easter?
A -   Last year I baptised 2075 catechumens. It is interesting to say that although I group many neighbouring centres, it took me 17 days to baptise them all!

Q -   Fr James, you were born in Raja, South of Sudan. How did you end up in the Diocese of El Obeid?
A -   The second civil war in the Sudan broke in 1983. Because of this, all the schools in the South were closed down and therefore I had to head to the North if I wanted to continue my studies. El Obeid was the first safe haven we could find and it was precisely there that I managed to enter Comboni School and proceed with my secondary school education.  

Q -   During that same period, while you were in El Obeid, you started to attend the meetings organised by our Society. How did this affect your life?
A -   In fact, I was one of the very first members who attended the first meeting when the Society started. I also believe that it is because of this Society that I found my priestly vocation. I can also say that I am a priest only with the help and formation I received through the Society.  

Q -   In September 1987, you were one of the first two Sudanese Members. How do you look back at that event?
A -   Yes. On recalling that event of the Society, I always feel that God has given us the opportunity to come to know Him and God gives this grace to those who are doing their best to improve their spiritual life. When I look back, I also conclude that it is through the Society that I am now a priest.  

Q -   Do you have a concluding message to give to the young Sudanese people?
A -   I know that it is not easy to sustain a vocation, either as an sdc Member or to join the seminary, for it takes long, especially on the parents' side. Yet my message to all the young people is that they should commit themselves and to pray to God, the creator, from whom the call comes. One must also be faithful and strong in front of the many difficulties. If you are called, then follow the call you have received from God. Answer the call of God.