Father Simon Yomkuey Kueth Tap is the first Nuer to become a Comboni missionary and the first South Sudanese Comboni priest to be ordained since the country gained independence fifteen years ago. His initial appointment as a missionary will be in Brazil.
I was born in Mayom, Bentiu, Unity State, which is now part of South Sudan. I served as an altar server and was a member of the Legion of Mary and a youth leader at the Parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mediatrix of All Graces in Khartoum Bahry. I attended Comboni Primary School in Khartoum Bahry and Aliab Senior Secondary School in Khartoum, Sudan. In 2006, feeling inspired to become a priest, I shared this desire with my parish priest. He advised me to complete my university education first. At that time, I was living in Sudan.
After completing my university studies in 2013, I began the ‘Come and See’ experience as a Comboni missionary aspirant. The following year, I entered the one-year Pre-Postulancy orientation course in Kajo-Keji. In 2015, I progressed to the Postulancy stage, studying philosophy in Nairobi, Kenya, which I completed in 2018. During this time, I also earned a diploma in philosophical and religious studies from the Consolata Institute of Philosophy in Nairobi. I also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, also in Nairobi.
After completing my postulancy, I spent two years in the novitiate in Nnamugongo, Uganda. After making my first vows in 2020, the congregation assigned me to the scholasticate in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, where I studied theology for four years and obtained a Bachelor of Theology degree from the St Joseph Theological Institute. I also completed a postgraduate diploma at the same institute. On 13 April 2025, I pronounced my final vows at Christ the King Parish in Tali, in the Archdiocese of Juba in South Sudan.
On 11 May 2025, the Yoanyang community gathered to mark a significant milestone: the centenary of the Comboni Missionaries’ arrival in the region. This event marked one hundred years of spiritual growth, community development, and an enduring legacy of faith that has transformed countless lives. Since the arrival of the first missionaries in 1925, the Comboni Missionaries have become an integral part of the Yoanyang community.
The Holy Eucharistic Mass was presided over by Archbishop Seamus Patrick Horgan, the Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan. His presence underscored the significance of the occasion as he guided the congregation in prayer and reflection. On that occasion, I was ordained as a deacon.
On 7 December 2025, a Comboni Bishop, Christian Carlassare, ordained me as a priest at St Josephine Bakhita Parish in the Diocese of Bentiu, South Sudan. This historic event made me the first Nuer to become a Comboni missionary within the Nuer community in South Sudan. I was also the first South Sudanese Comboni priest to be ordained in fifteen years, following the country’s independence.
The congregation later assigned me to the Brazil Province for my first missionary appointment. As I look forward to my next missionary experience there, I am passionate about further exploring the concept of reconciliation after completing my postgraduate diploma in theology. My research has laid a strong foundation, and I see many opportunities to deepen my understanding.
In particular, I am interested in the role of forgiveness in healing communities, promoting interfaith dialogue, and addressing social justice issues. Justice and peace guide my commitment to building a fairer world. I am dedicated to understanding complex social issues and advocating for those whose voices remain unheard.
I aim to contribute to meaningful and lasting change through dialogue and empathy. I also have a deep appreciation for nature and enjoy nurturing it by planting trees and flowers. This creates vibrant green spaces that not only enhance ecosystems but also provide refuge for wildlife.
I am profoundly grateful to everyone who has contributed to my growth and development from pre-postulancy to the scholasticate. Each stage has shaped me through guidance, love, and support. During the Pre-Postulancy, my mentors recognised my potential and encouraged me to discern my vocation with clarity and confidence. I am deeply grateful for their patience and wisdom.
During Postulancy, the community embraced me as family, teaching me the value of collaboration and mutual support. The friendships I formed there strengthened my sense of belonging and commitment. The novitiate period offered me an opportunity for deep spiritual reflection, and I am very thankful to the formation team who guided me through this transformative time.
During my time at the scholasticate, I encountered an academic environment that challenged me both intellectually and spiritually. My professors and peers inspired me through meaningful dialogue and academic rigour. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all who have supported my vocation: my mentors, friends, family, benefactors, and community members.